FIFA's head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, has strongly defended World Cup match officials following Argentina's controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, dismissing suggestions that referees had been influenced to favour the defending champions.
The comments came after Egypt coach Hossam Hassan alleged that the officiating team, led by French referee Francois Letexier, may have been subjected to "external pressure" during the knockout fixture in Atlanta.
