FIFA have hit out at Morocco midfielder, Nordin Amrabat, for claiming referee Mark Geiger asked Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo for his shirt, during Wednesday’s game between the sides.
Amrabat told Dutch TV after Morocco’s 1-0 defeat by Portugal: “I do not know what he (Geiger) is used to, but he was very impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and I hear from Pepe that he asked in the first half if he should have his shirt.
“What are we talking about? At the World Cup? It’s not a circus here.”
However, the world football governing body, on Thursday released a statement, saying it “unequivocally condemns the allegations” and that the American official “has acted in an exemplary and professional manner”.
The full statement reads: “It is with regret and disappointment that, following Wednesday’s Group B game between Portugal and Morocco, FIFA has learnt of reports in the media concerning referee Mark Geiger.
“It has been claimed that Mr Geiger asked for the shirt of the captain of Portugal during the half-time interval. Mr Geiger strongly refutes these claims and categorically states such a request was not made.
“FIFA unequivocally condemns the allegations supposedly made by a member of the Moroccan team.
“FIFA referees are under clear instructions with regard to their behaviour and relationship with the teams at the World Cup and it can be confirmed that Mr Geiger has acted in an exemplary and professional manner as an appointed match official.
“FIFA would like to remind teams of their duty to respect all principles of fair play.”
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