Collina Defends Letexier and Validates Controversial Decisions from Argentina-Egypt

Pierluigi Collina has offered official support to François Letexier, the French referee in charge of the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt (3-2), in an interview published on FIFA’s website. The world governing body’s head of refereeing justified the most contested decisions of the match, starting with the goal disallowed to the Pharaohs.

Collina said he was “satisfied overall” with the referees deployed for this North American World Cup, while acknowledging that recent controversies — Letexier not being the only one involved, with Uzbek Ilgiz Tantashev also facing criticism during Paraguay-France — warranted public clarification.

On the disallowed Egypt goal, the official provided a precise technical explanation: “A concrete example occurred during the Argentina-Egypt match, where Egyptian number 19, Marwan Attia, clearly stepped on the foot of Argentine number 6, Lisandro Martínez. We consider that a foul remains a foul. It does not matter whether it seems ‘obvious’: if the referee did not see it on the pitch, video assistant refereeing can intervene.”

Collina also recalled the rules governing VAR intervention after a goal: “After each goal, the VAR checks the offensive possession phase. If a foul is identified during the build-up of the action and is judged to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR recommends a video review. There is no defined limit concerning the distance from goal or the time between the incident and the goal.”

The former Italian international referee firmly rejected accusations of interference, notably those targeting FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suspected by some of favoritism toward Argentina: “No one can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president. He has always given full support to the refereeing team while trusting us to work in complete independence.”

Collina concluded by warning of the human consequences of such allegations: “Unfounded accusations have no place in our sport. Such accusations can provoke reactions leading to threats against officials and their families. This is unacceptable.”