The head of refereeing at Fifa, Pierluigi Collina, has backed referee Ivan Barton after France coach Didier Deschamps questioned the official’s performance in their World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain.
Deschamps questioned whether the Salvadoran referee was suited to officiate a match of that level after Spain secured a 2-0 victory in Arlington, Texas, to reach the final.
“If I say anything, I’ll look like a sore loser because we lost,” said Deschamps. “But I ask you: is the referee up to the task of officiating a semifinal? There’s the penalty, but that’s not all. It adds to everything else. I have nothing against the referee tonight but ask yourselves the question.”
Responding to Deschamps’ remarks, Collina said: “Yes, absolutely. Our referees are world class.”
Spain earned their place in a second World Cup final through goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Lamine Yamal was fouled before Porro added a second to complete the victory.
Deschamps admitted France were poor on the ball and credited Spain’s overall play.
“Spain has been able to defend well,” Deschamps said. “They’ve closed out all the spaces and also we’ve made some technical mistakes. So it is difficult to create problems when the technical level is below standard.”
