Collina rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing or a conspiracy to assist Argentina\u2019s World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,\u201d Collina said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cEqually, nobody can claim that Fifa refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the Fifa president [Gianni Infantino].<\/p>\n
\u201cMatch officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Egypt coach Hassan said his team had been the victims of \u201cinjustice\u201d by officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,\u201d Hassan said after his team\u2019s loss, suggesting that Fifa \u201cwanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level,\u201d Hassan told BeIn Sports.<\/p>\n
But on the specific case of the decision to disallow Mostafa Zico\u2019s superb breakaway goal which would have given Egypt a 2-0 lead, Collina said referees had acted correctly after VAR spotted a foul in the build-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d the Italian said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears \u2018obvious\u2019, if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.\u201d<\/p>\n