FIFA make significant VAR change for World Cup quarter-finals after complaints

FIFA has implemented a significant structural change to its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations for the remainder of the World Cup following complaints about the standard of refereeing.

Prior to Thursday's quarter-final clash between France and Morocco, every VAR decision at this summer's World Cup has been made at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas, Texas.

However, under a new protocol, FIFA will place a primary VAR official and a reserve VAR official on-site at the stadium in a bid to minimise any potential technical issues.

So, for the France versus Morocco game, Uruguay's Leodan Gonzalez is on hand to provide VAR support to match officials should anything go wrong with the connection in FIFA's Dallas hub.

Nicaragua's Tatiana Guzman, meanwhile, is at the Boston Stadium as the reserve VAR.

They are joined by an all-Argentinian refereeing team, which consists of lead referee Facundo Tello and assistants Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade.

Gonzalez is serving as the primary VAR for France vs Morocco. Image credit: Getty

FIFA's decision to implement the change comes after some hugely controversial last 16 ties, including Argentina's comeback win over Egypt.

In fact, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan accused French referee Francois Letexier of being biased towards the opposition.

"The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina," Hassan told reporters after Argentina came from 2-0 behind to win 3-2.

"This was clearly a rigged match and the whole world saw it."

Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko agreed with Hassan's sentiment, adding: "The referee wasn’t good, he was unfair. His injustice was clear. He persecuted us from the start of the match. He doesn’t want us to win."

READ MORE: FIFA's unusual decision for France's World Cup quarter-final explained after fan questions emerge

England head coach Thomas Tuchel was also dismissive of the officiating during their last 16 win over Mexico.

“It’s not good enough,” Tuchel said after Jarell Quansah was sent off. “He [the referee] can send any team out in any moment. It’s just not good enough. It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable in matches.

"Now we have two fourth officials who just scream at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s just not good enough.”

FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has publicly defended the officials who were involved in the round-of-16 ties.

"Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport," Collina said.

"Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right. Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president."