FIFA to wait until after World Cup to bring disciplinary action against players and coaches

FIFA is expected to wait until the end of the World Cup before deciding whether to punish players and coaches who publicly criticised match officials during the tournament (The Athletic).

Several high-profile figures have questioned refereeing decisions over the past few weeks, but FIFA has chosen not to take action while the competition is still ongoing. 

Any disciplinary measures will likely be considered after the final, with decisions based on referees’ reports and other relevant evidence.

There have been several complaints from coaches and players following controversial matches.

England manager Thomas Tuchel was among those who strongly criticised officials after his side’s round-of-16 victory over Mexico, where Jarell Quansah was sent off.

Tuchel described the officiating as ‘erratic’ and ‘unreliable’, arguing that referees could change the course of a game too easily. 

He was also frustrated with the way fourth officials handled coaches on the touchline.

France boss Didier Deschamps also questioned the standard of officiating after his team’s semi-final defeat to Spain. 

While he stopped short of directly accusing the referee of poor performance, his comments prompted a quick response from FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina.

Collina defended the official and insisted FIFA’s referees are among the best in world football. He also rejected suggestions that match officials could be influenced by outside pressure.

Some of the strongest criticism came from Egypt following their last-16 defeat to Argentina. 

Head coach Hossam Hassan claimed there had been pressure on the referee before the match, while striker Mostafa Ziko blamed the official’s decisions for his team’s defeat.

“We were the best in everything,” Hossam said. “There were factors influencing it, not external, but internal on the pitch, and external before the match.

“It is clear that the pressure put on the referee before the match by the Argentine side succeeded, because they objected to the referee, bringing up France, and the France national team.”

FIFA has been quiet about whether disciplinary cases have been opened. The organisation has only confirmed its confidence in the quality and integrity of its officials.