Trending 
FIFA has rejected France’s appeal against the yellow card shown to player Michael Olise during the team’s Round of 16 victory over Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
France coach Didier Deschamps disclosed on Wednesday that FIFA had upheld the caution, leaving Olise one booking away from suspension.
“The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning, it has been maintained,” Deschamps told reporters in Foxborough.
The Bayern Munich winger was booked late in the match following an altercation with Paraguay’s Matías Galarza.
Television replays appeared to show minimal contact between the players after Olise gestured by placing a finger over his mouth, while Galarza fell to the ground claiming he had been struck in the face.
With the booking standing, Olise will miss a potential World Cup semi-final if he receives another yellow card in Thursday’s quarter-final against Morocco.
France midfielders Bradley Barcola and Manu Koné also face possible suspension after picking up bookings in the Paraguay match.
Deschamps, however, provided a positive update on Aurélien Tchouaméni, saying the midfielder was recovering from the thigh injury that ruled him out of the Round of 16 clash and could return to training ahead of the match against Morocco.
“Aurelien is doing better. I can’t say more than that. He will maybe take part in training today but I will need to see. The others are all available,” he said of the Real Madrid player.
The France coach also dismissed concerns over FIFA’s appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello for the quarter-final despite the sporting rivalry between France and Argentina following the 2022 World Cup final.
Deschamps said he had confidence in the match officials and stressed that France’s focus remained solely on overcoming Morocco rather than the referee.
“There is nothing I can do about refereeing appointments. I just try to have confidence in the officials,” Deschamps said.
“I hope that Mr Tello and his assistants will be just as good as Mr Letexier and his assistants.
“There are always decisions that can lead to debate depending on which side you are on, but our opponents are Morocco. I can’t consider the referee to be an opponent,”he added.
Thursday’s encounter could be Deschamps’ final game in charge of France if his side is eliminated. The 56-year-old, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, is expected to step down after the tournament.
He said his attention remained firmly on preparing his team for Morocco, insisting that discussions about his departure were not part of his thinking.
“I am not thinking about that at all. In my head, with my staff, the objective is just to do everything we can so that things go well. I am focused on this Morocco team and on things going well for us,” he insisted.
