FIFA has publicly defended Moroccan referee Jalal Jiyed following the controversial decision to disallow Germany’s late goal against Paraguay in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The incident proved decisive in one of the tournament’s most dramatic knockout matches, with Germany eventually losing on penalties after Jonathan Tah’s late header was ruled out following a VAR review.
The decision immediately sparked criticism from the German camp, but FIFA’s refereeing leadership has now confirmed that Jiyed correctly applied the tournament’s officiating guidelines.
Disallowed goal sparks controversy
Germany believed they had secured victory in the closing stages when Jonathan Tah headed the ball into the net.
However, VAR advised Jiyed to conduct an on-field review after identifying a possible infringement involving German defender Waldemar Anton.
After reviewing the footage, the Moroccan official concluded that Anton had illegally impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil by blocking his movement and preventing him from attempting to save the header.
The goal was subsequently disallowed, with the match remaining level before Paraguay prevailed in the penalty shootout.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann strongly criticised the decision after the match, insisting his side had been unfairly denied a legitimate goal.
Collina explains FIFA’s position
FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina has now clarified why the decision was consistent with the directives issued to referees before the tournament.
“Positioning in itself is not an offense, but when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even slightly, with the clear aim of hindering the opponent’s movement and preventing him from defending, then the referees, with the help of video technology when needed, are required to analyze the situation accurately and intervene,” Collina said, according to the Mirror.
He added that the same principle applies when an attacking player deliberately prevents a goalkeeper from defending the goal.
“This is especially true when the aim of the move is to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from defending his goal. Coaches and players have been informed of these guidelines beforehand, so they should not be surprised when referees penalize such offenses.”
Collina’s explanation effectively endorsed Jiyed’s interpretation of the incident and dismissed suggestions that the Moroccan referee had committed a significant error.
Major vote of confidence for African officiating
Jiyed’s appointment to a high-profile World Cup knockout fixture reflected FIFA’s confidence in African referees, and the governing body’s public backing further reinforces that trust.
The Moroccan official was required to make one of the tournament’s biggest refereeing decisions under intense pressure, with the outcome directly influencing Germany’s World Cup campaign.
While debate surrounding the incident is likely to continue in Germany, FIFA has made its position clear that the decision represented the correct application of the tournament’s refereeing guidelines.
For African officiating, the support from FIFA represents another significant milestone, highlighting the confidence placed in referees from the continent to manage some of football’s biggest matches.
Germany’s World Cup ends in heartbreak
Germany’s disappointment deepened after the match went to penalties, where Kai Havertz, Nico Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all failed to convert from the spot.
Paraguay secured a famous shootout victory to reach the Round of 16, where they will face France.
Although Germany’s elimination will continue to be overshadowed by the disallowed goal, FIFA’s verdict leaves little doubt over its stance: Jalal Jiyed’s intervention was not a refereeing mistake but the correct implementation of the laws and tournament instructions.
