Many fans claim FIFA wants Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup, and that officials are part of a conspiracy. I’m a former assistant referee who worked alongside Howard Webb in 2010 and 2014, and I can assure you that referees are independent. The officiating crew comes from all confederations, each selected by FIFA for a six‑week stint and trained separately; no secret meetings with the executive committee.

We spend every day on physical training, watching clips, and debriefing matches – there is no downtime, and once one assignment ends we prepare for the next. The suggestion that referees are plotting to make Messi reach the final is simply false. Errors happen because football moves fast and decisions are made in a second, not because of any agenda.

When Argentina beat Egypt 3‑2, Pierluigi Collina defended his officials, stressing their integrity and independence. Threats towards referees like Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor highlight how damaging unfounded bias claims can be. Even after 103 matches, mistakes will arise, but they do not add up to a conspiracy.

Referees aim only to make correct calls. The integrity of the game relies on fair officiating, and the referees remain the last line of neutrality amid scrutiny.