NEW YORK : Argentina’s march to the World Cup semi-finals has been accompanied by growing debate over refereeing decisions, with a former FIFA referee warning that a new video assistant referee (VAR) protocol has fuelled perceptions of inconsistency and undermined public confidence.
The defending champions, who face England in Wednesday’s semi-final, have been at the centre of several contentious decisions during the tournament, prompting complaints from opponents and widespread speculation on social media that Lionel Messi’s side have benefited from officiating.
The latest controversy came in Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland, when Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR intervention. Switzerland coach Murat Yakin described the decision as “unacceptable.”
Asked about the criticism on Monday, FIFA referred Reuters to comments made by refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina on July 8, in which he rejected allegations of bias following Argentina’s last-16 victory over Egypt.
The incident has also reignited debate over a new VAR protocol introduced for the 2026-27 season and used at the World Cup, which allows officials to intervene in cases of mistaken identity under expanded guidelines.
“I don’t think it should have been applied in the first place. It was too broad,” Christina Unkel, ITV’s refereeing analyst and a former FIFA referee, told Reuters.
“Where I’m struggling with it is we’re not just changing who gets the card, we’re changing the underlying decision… To me, that is where we are now officially in the re-refereeing area that VAR has been fighting to try to stay out of.”
The fact that the ruling benefited Argentina, who have been dubbed “VARgentina” by some critics on social media, intensified the backlash.
“This new expansion of the protocol without testing it, without really knowing that that’s what they wanted it to do… it’s just like a powder keg,” Unkel said. “I’m just waiting for the final lynchpin.”
The debate has been building since the group stage.
Algeria called for Messi to be sent off after an incident involving captain Aissa Mandi, but the Argentina forward remained on the pitch and later scored a hat-trick. Days later, Algeria lodged a complaint over the officiating, a source told Reuters.
Argentina’s 3-2 last-16 victory over Egypt also sparked criticism after Egypt had a goal ruled out following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up, while a later penalty appeal was rejected before Argentina scored a stoppage-time winner. The Egyptian Football Association said several refereeing decisions had affected the outcome.
Despite the controversy, Unkel said she did not believe the officials had made glaring errors in either match and noted that referees often become the focus of criticism when results go against teams.
She added, however, that broader concerns over officiating had damaged trust among supporters.
FIFA’s handling of disciplinary cases has also attracted attention after United States forward Folarin Balogun had a one-match suspension overturned, while England defender Jarell Quansah received a two-match ban.
“I think fan confidence is completely eroded right now,” said Unkel, who is also president of United Soccer League club Tampa Bay Sun FC. “I’ve covered major tournaments in this position and as a referee, and I have never seen the level of chatter — not just on social media.”
