WORLD CUP | Collina Defends Match Officials After Egypt Protest in 3-2 Loss to Argentina

FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said “nobody can question the integrity” of World Cup match officials after what he called “unfounded allegations” following Egypt’s 3-2 last-16 loss to Argentina, according to Yahoo Sports. Egypt’s Football Association asked FIFA on Tuesday to remove the officials from the tournament and demanded an investigation into “double standards” after two second-half foul decisions went against Egypt as Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit late. Collina backed the VAR decision to disallow Mostafa Zico’s goal because Marwan Attia was penalized for stepping on Lisandro Martinez’s foot in the build-up, and he supported the call not to award a penalty for a challenge involving Mohamed Salah and Julian Alvarez, which officials deemed normal contact. Collina also said FIFA refereeing cannot be influenced, including by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.