FIFA intends to wait until after the World Cup before imposing sanctions on players and coaches who have brought the game into disrepute.
Match officials have been heavily criticized throughout the tournament, including by England coach Thomas Tuchel, Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan.
FIFA declined to comment on any current or potential disciplinary proceedings, but sources familiar with the situation said action could be taken after the tournament.
Any such sanctions that may be imposed by FIFA will depend on the reports of the referees and other relevant factors.
It was only after the World Cup in Qatar four years ago that world football’s governing body imposed sanctions on several member associations.
After England’s win over Mexico in the round of 16, which saw defender Jarell Quansah sent off, Tuchel criticized referee Alireza Faghani.
“It’s not good enough,” Tuchel said of the Australian’s refereeing. “He (the referee) can send any team at any time. It’s just not good enough. It’s just unstable, it’s just not reliable in matches.”
“Now we have two fourth officials who just yell at you if you take one foot out of the coaching area. It’s just not good enough.”
Tuchel (right) was unhappy with the refereeing in England’s Round of 16 win over Mexico. (Darrian Trainor/Getty Images)
However, the strongest criticism came after Egypt’s defeat to Argentina in the round of 16, which suffered from French referee Francois Letexier.
“We were the best in everything, but the result was… it was influenced by factors, not external, but internal on the field and external before the match,” Hossam said after the game.
“It is clear that the pressure put on the referee before the match by the Argentine side was successful because they objected to the referee by mentioning France and the French national team. It appears that the Argentine side put pressure on the referee which led to this result.”
Mostafa Zico, the Egyptian striker, went further, saying Letexier “wasted all our efforts with his decisions.”
“We were 2-0 up and there is nothing we can do, everything depends on God,” Zico said after the defeat. “We wanted to please you all. It was not the plan. It was the referee. The cup is going towards Argentina.”
Akanji, a former Manchester City defender, also has his sights set on refereeing after his Swiss side lost to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
“When you have a referee against you, it becomes difficult,” Akanji said of referee Joao Pinheiro. “Every little thing was aimed against us. Every jump and every foul of the Argentines went unpunished.
“I usually don’t say anything against referees, but I’ve never seen such a one-sided game as today.”
In other competitions, including the Premier League, such comments would quickly lead to a fine or disqualification, but FIFA reserves its opinion until the end of the tournament.
FIFA chief referee Pierluigi Collina has responded to allegations that match officials could be influenced after suggestions they were biased against Argentina.
“No one can question the integrity of the officials responsible for the World Cup matches,” Collina said in a July 9 statement. “When this happens, it may provoke a reaction that will lead to threats against them and their families. This is wrong.”