FIFA reject claims referee asked for Ronaldo's shirt

Referee Mark Geiger has "strongly refuted" claims he asked for the shirt of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time of the clash with Morocco on Wednesday.

The allegation was made by Morocco midfielder Nordin Amrabat after a game in which American official Geiger made a number of calls that were questioned by the north Africans.

Amrabat told Dutch television station NOS: "I do not know what he is used to but he was very impressed with Cristiano Ronaldo and I hear from [Portugal defender] Pepe that he asked Ronaldo in the first half if he could have his shirt.

"What are we talking about? At the World Cup? It’s not a circus here."

FIFA responded by backing Geiger and expressing their disappointment at Amrabat's outburst.

In a statement it said: "It is with regret and disappointment that, following yesterday's Group B game between Portugal and Morocco, FIFA has learnt of reports in the media concerning the referee Mark Geiger.

"It has been claimed that Mr Geiger asked for the shirt of the captain of Portugal during the half-time interval. Mr Geiger strongly refutes those claims and categorically states that such a request was not made.

"FIFA unequivocally condemns the allegations supposedly made by a member of the Moroccan team.

"FIFA referees are under clear instructions with regard to their behaviour and relationship with the teams at the World Cup in Russia and it can be confirmed that Mr Geiger has acted in an exemplary and professional manner as an appointed match official.

"FIFA would like to remind teams of their duty to respect all principles of Fair Play."