The chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, Italian Pierluigi Collina, defended the integrity and decisions of French referee François Letexier and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team in the Egypt vs Argentina match, conclusively dismissing the controversial incidents.

FIFA's official website published an interview with Collina on Thursday, following the exciting refereeing events in the World Cup in recent hours, especially in the Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina. In his remarks, Collina confirmed that the referee's decisions were correct, particularly regarding Egypt's disallowed goal and Mohamed Salah's penalty appeal just before Argentina's third goal.

Collina said: "In general, we are happy. However, with such a large number of matches played in a relatively short period, it is natural that some things do not go as expected. When that happens, they are prepared to work harder to ensure they are fully ready for the next match."

He added: "Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always remain part of football, but baseless allegations have no place in our sport. No one can question the integrity of World Cup match officials. When that happens, it may provoke reactions leading to threats against them and their families. That is not right."

He continued: "Similarly, no one can claim that FIFA's refereeing can be influenced by anyone, even the FIFA President (Gianni Infantino). He has always shown full support for the FIFA Team One with confidence in us to work with complete independence. Match officials make honest decisions, and like players and coaches, they always try to do their best."

Collina commented on the controversial incidents in the Egypt vs Argentina match. At the beginning of his remarks on that, he confirmed that after every goal, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If an offense is identified during the build-up and deemed to have affected the goal, the VAR recommends an on-field review. There is no specific limit on the distance from the goal or the time between the incident and the goal.

He added that in the case of Egypt's disallowed goal, player Marwan Attia, number 19, clearly stepped on the foot of Argentina's number 6, Lisandro Martínez, just before the goal attack.

He continued: "If no offense is identified during the build-up to the goal, the VAR will inform the referee accordingly. Stepping on an opponent's foot is a foul, while a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal football contact has not committed a foul. Again, an example of that appeared at the end of the same play. The referee and the VAR considered it a normal football contact between Egypt's number 10, Mohamed Salah, and Argentina's number 10, Julián Álvarez."