FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina on Wednesday dismissed accusations that match officials are targeting African teams, after Egypt became the latest side from the continent to exit the World Cup amid controversy.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has filed a formal complaint with FIFA requesting an investigation into referee François Letexier and his team, and asked that they be removed from the tournament. Egypt lost 3-2 to defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16 in Atlanta.
Egypt cites “double standard” in key decisions
Egypt’s complaint focused on two VAR incidents they said reflect a pattern of unfair treatment toward African teams:
The disallowed goal, a second goal from Mostafa Ziko was overturned after VAR spotted an earlier foul by Marwan Attia in the build-up.
The denied penalty: Mohamed Salah went down in the box just before Argentina’s stoppage-time winner, with the referee declining to review the incident.
Coach Hossam Hassan said after the match that African teams “are not being given the same decisions” as other nations.
Collina rejected the claims, saying such accusations “threaten the integrity of officials” and are not supported by the laws of the game.
He said Ziko’s goal was correctly disallowed under VAR protocols covering the attacking phase.
On Salah’s fall, Collina called it “normal soccer contact.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said separately that he reviewed the incidents “more than ten times” and found no evidence the VAR team intentionally favored one side over the other.
“Disagreement should never automatically become proof of conspiracy,” Infantino said. “The responsibility of football’s governing bodies is to apply the Laws of the Game as consistently and fairly as possible.”
Egypt’s complaint adds to a wider debate this tournament about officiating involving African nations. Several federations have privately raised concerns about VAR consistency, though FIFA has not upheld any formal bias claims.
FIFA said its refereeing department reviews every incident after major matches. “No referee is above review. No decision is above analysis,” the body stated.
The EFA complaint will now be assessed by FIFA’s disciplinary and refereeing committees. There has been no indication Letexier will be removed.
Argentina advances to the quarterfinals. Egypt became the third African team to exit in the Round of 16.