FIFA Refereeing Officer defends officials after Argentina-Egypt controversies

FIFA's chief refereeing officer defended a pair of controversial officiating decisions made in Argentina's 3-2 win over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 and stressed that match officials are free from the influence of the governing body when calling games.

"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," Pierluigi Collina said in an interview on the governing body's website. "Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA Refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA President."