Egypt led 2-0 with just a few games remaining, but Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi, turned the game around and booked their place in the quarter-finals. However, just before Egypt made it 2-0, Pharaoh’s goal, which appeared to be a foul in the build-up, was ruled out on review.
Meanwhile, in the turnover that ultimately led to Argentina’s winning goal, Egypt’s players and coaching staff were adamant that a penalty should have been awarded for the foul on Mohamed Salah. After the match, several Egyptian players and coaches hinted at preferential treatment for the Argentine, and FIFA hit back.
FIFA referee Pierluigi Collina said: “Of course, constructive debate over decisions is always part of football, but baseless allegations have no place in our sport. No one doubts the integrity of FIFA World Cup match officials. When something like this happens, it can provoke a reaction that leads to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”
“Likewise, no one can claim that FIFA referees are influenced by anyone, not even the FIFA President (Gianni Infantino). He has always shown his full support for FIFA Team 1 and trusts us to work completely independently. Match officials make honest decisions and always try to give their best, just like players and coaches.”
He added: “After every goal is scored, VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is confirmed during the build-up and is deemed to have affected the goal, VAR will recommend an on-field review. There are no clear limits on the distance from the goal or the time between the incident and the goal.”
“An example of this is in the match between Argentina and Egypt, where Egypt’s No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly stepped on the foot of Argentina’s No. 6 Lisandro Martinez. We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears ‘obvious’ or not, VAR may intervene if the referee did not see the foul on the field.
“Similarly, if no foul is confirmed in the build-up to goal, VAR will advise the referee accordingly. It is a foul to step on an opponent’s foot, but a defender who first touches the ball and then makes normal football contact is a foul. Again, this example occurred at the end of the same match. The referee and VAR deemed it to be a normal football contact between Egypt’s number 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina’s number 10.
“Of course, there will always be an element of subjectivity in some decisions, but we are pleased that this principle was applied throughout the tournament.”
Argentina will play Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals, with the winner facing either England or Norway. On the other side of the bracket, Morocco will play France, while Spain and Belgium will also be competing for a spot in the last eight.
