Concerns about refereeing standards have surfaced ahead of the World Cup final, with Spain's Aymeric Laporte directly challenging Argentina's approach to physical play. He acknowledged that robust football is acceptable within the rules but argued that Argentina deliberately crosses ethical lines in ways officials have failed to address, referencing specific incidents from their semi-final victory over England where fouls and controversial contact went insufficiently punished.

Spain's management and players have responded with measured diplomacy rather than escalating complaints. Both the manager and captain expressed respect for Argentina whilst emphasising their intention to focus on quality football and ignore any provocations, deliberately stepping away from the precedent set by Egypt's earlier allegations of referee bias in Argentina's favour.