Former assistant referee Darren Cann has dismissed persistent allegations that FIFA is orchestrating results to favor Lionel Messi and Argentina. Having worked at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, Cann emphasizes that officiating teams remain independent from FIFA’s administration, operating with full autonomy during tournaments. He notes that referees are recruited from diverse global backgrounds and spend their time in training camps focusing on analysis rather than coordinating predetermined outcomes.
Addressing rumors regarding a supposed desired final between Argentina and Spain, Cann explained that officials prioritize split-second decision-making on the field rather than considering player narratives. He shared that he and Howard Webb once missed a clear penalty call involving Messi during a Champions League match, proving that human error, rather than malice, is responsible for missed calls. Officials focus on identifying jersey colors rather than individual reputations.
Cann highlighted that these conspiracy theories are not harmless, as they lead to severe harassment and threats against referees and their families. Pierluigi Collina, the head of FIFA officiating, has previously been forced to defend the integrity of his staff against such baseless claims. Ultimately, Cann asserts that referees at the level of the World Cup final, such as Slavko Vincic, possess no personal interest in the match outcome other than ensuring their own performance remains accurate and untainted by error.
