A World Cup referees' chief has denied the credibility of officials had been undermined by the mistakes which led FIFA president Sepp Blatter to describe refereeing at the tournament as "inadequate".
While Blatter insisted Italy had not been ousted from the tournament as part of a wider plot, he admitted that they had been on the wrong end of some poor decisions.
Italy striker Francesco Totti was dismissed in extra time of the defeat to South Korea after he was booked for diving, his second yellow card of the match.
The Azzurri had three goals controversially disallowed during the group stage, just some of a number of dubious decisions that have seen referees and their assistants come under fire.
But 1990 World Cup final referee Edgardo Codesal, a member of FIFA's Referees Committee, defended the officials.
"I think the referee always has credibility and support to be in the middle. They are honest men and they do their best," he said.
"All referees want to be the one in the World Cup final and they are preparing for 15 years to be here.
"I am sure everyone tries to do their best and to be in the final is the most beautiful dream for them.
"I do not think they lose their credibility if they make a mistake.
"If corruptive things happen they lose their credibility, otherwise they are just mistakes."
But Codesal, who dismissed two Argentina players during the Italia 90 final, admitted Totti should not have been sent off.
"As an instructor, simulation is when two players are running and one player dives without any contact," he said. "This is the definition of simulation.
"Unfortunately for the eyes of the referee he saw that (it was simulation), but if you freeze the television screen you can see a little contact."
FIFA, meanwhile, were unaware of any move by Italian state broadcasters RAI to start legal action against them for money lost as a result of Italy's early exit from the tournament.
PA