Egypt had been leading 2-0 heading into the dying embers of the contest, but a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina turned the contest around and booked their place in the quarter-finals instead. However, just before Egypt made it 2-0, the Pharaohs had a goal ruled out on review for a supposed foul in the build-up.
Meanwhile, in the turnover that eventually led to Argentina’s winning goal, the Egyptian players and coaching staff were adamant they ought to have been given a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah. After the match, several Egyptian players and the manager hinted at preferential treatment for the Argentines, with FIFA having now hit back.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina said: “Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport. Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.
“Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA Refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA President [Gianni Infantino]. He has always shown his full support for FIFA Team One while trusting us to work with complete independence. Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.”
He continued: “After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
“An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martínez. We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears ‘obvious’, if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.
“Equally, if no foul is identified in the build-up to a goal, the VAR will advise the referee accordingly. Stepping on an opponent’s foot is a foul, whereas a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal football contact has not committed a foul. Again, an example of this came at the end of the same game. The referee and the VAR deemed it normal football contact between Egypt No. 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina No. 10 Julian Alvarez.
“Of course, there will always be an element of subjectivity in some decisions, but we are happy with how this principle has been applied throughout the tournament.”
Argentina face Switzerland in the quarter-final of the World Cup, with the winner set to face either England or Norway. On the opposite side of the bracket, Morocco and France face off, while Spain and Belgium will also battle for a spot in the last eight.