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Are referees biased?

It's a common accusation, especially after a tough loss like Egypt's. While referees strive for fairness, they're human and can make mistakes. Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, is a complex issue in sports. Factors like home crowd pressure, a team's reputation, or even a referee's personal background can subtly influence decisions, leading to claims of unfairness.

Stories that explain this

Egypt manager claims FIFA rigged World Cup for Messi

Questions this opens up

Can referees be bribed? Do VAR decisions favour big teams? What is unconscious bias?

This explainer came from a news story

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