Fifa have denied claims that the referee of the Portugal vs Morocco game on Wednesday afternoon asked for Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt at half time of the Group B encounter.

Morocco’s Watford midfielder Nordin Amrabat told Dutch television that he heard from Portugal defender Pepe that American referee Mark Geiger asked for Ronaldo’s shirt at half time in the ill-tempered game.

“I do not know what he is used to,” Amrabat said to NOS about the referee following the 1-0 defeat. “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 (Pepe's) shirt.

World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Rui Patricio - 6/10 Did his job well, but didn’t have many saves to make. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Cedric Soares - 5/10 Was okay in defence but offered little going forward. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Pepe - 6/10 A little slow, struggled at the back. Put in some important challenges though towards the end. Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Jose Fonte - 6/10 Found in some awkward positions and lacked pace. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Raphael Guerreiro - 3/10 Had a shocker at the back. Amrabat ran rings around him. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Bernardo Silva - 6/10 Average going forward. Made a couple of chances for his side. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Joao Moutinho - 6/10 Solid going forward, but not enough chances created AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings William Carvalho - 6/10 Needed to get involved more, but was good when on the ball AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Joao Mario - 5/10 Quiet in midfield, could have done much more. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Goncalo Guedes - 6/10 Enjoyed a couple of chances but could have linked better with Ronaldo. Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Cristiano Ronaldo - 7/10 Didn’t get enough of the ball but scored the all important winning goal. AP World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Munir Mohand Mohamedi - 6/10 Made a great save in the first half to keep Morocco in the contest. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Nabil Dirar - 7/10 Defended well and encouraging in attack. EPA World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Medhi Benatia - 6/10 Made a couple of mistakes but tried to rectify them when going forward. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Manuel Da Costa - 5/10 Should have done more for Ronaldo's goal. Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Achraf Hakimi - 5/10 An underwhelming display. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Karim El Ahmadi - 6/10 Tried to push forward; became increasingly sloppy the more frustrated he got. EPA World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Mbarek Boussoufa - 5/10 Had a quiet game but fed the wingers well. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Nordin Amrabat - 7/10 A great game. Fantastic down the right and deserved more. Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Younes Belhanda - 7/10 Played well and was involved in a couple of good chances. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Hakim Ziyech - 7/10 Helped created a number of chances and enjoyed a few shots on goal. REUTERS World Cup: Portugal vs Morocco player ratings Khalid Boutaib - 6/10 Lacked the finishing touch for his side. REUTERS

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

However, Fifa have strongly refuted the claims and added a mild rebuke in the direction of Morocco, reminding them to “respect all principles of Fair Play”.

(Sergei Fadeichev/TASS (Sergei Fadeichev/TASS)

In a statement, they 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 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 these 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 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia and it can be confirmed that Mr Geiger has acted in an exemplary and professional manner as an appointed match official.