FIFA defends US ref over Morocco's shirt claim

Moscow - FIFA has condemned claims by a Morocco player that American referee Mark Geiger asked for a player's shirt during Portugal's 1-0 win on Wednesday.

Geiger denied the allegation to FIFA, with the governing body adding that the referee behaved in an "exemplary and professional manner".

The claim was made by Morocco player Noureddine Amrabat in a post-game interview with Netherlands public broadcaster NOS.

Amrabat said Portugal defender Pepe told him the referee had asked for his shirt during the first half.

The Morocco player told NOS: "This is the World Cup, it's not a circus."

Some media wrongly reported Amrabat as saying Pepe told him Geiger had asked for Ronaldo's shirt.

FIFA responded by saying it learned of reports of the allegation with "regret and disappointment".