FIFA Defends World Cup Refereeing After Egypt Files Formal Complaint

The match saw Argentina overturn a two-goal deficit to win 3-2, a result that sparked controversy over several key calls, including a penalty awarded to Argentina and a disallowed Egyptian goal. Egypt's complaint centered on these decisions, claiming they were inconsistent with VAR protocols.

Collina emphasized that the refereeing team, led by the on-field referee and supported by VAR officials, followed established procedures. He noted that all decisions were made based on the available video evidence and in accordance with the laws of the game.

FIFA's defense comes amid broader scrutiny of officiating at the tournament, with several teams expressing frustration over VAR interventions. However, Collina stressed that the integrity of the refereeing process remains paramount and that officials are trained to make impartial judgments under pressure.

The Egyptian FA has not indicated whether it will pursue further action, but the complaint has been officially logged with FIFA's disciplinary committee. Argentina's victory keeps them in contention for the knockout stages, while Egypt now faces an uphill battle to advance.