Didier Deschamps has expressed confidence regarding the selection of Argentinian officials for the upcoming World Cup quarter-final featuring France and Morocco on Thursday, despite the potential for a rematch against Argentina, the team they faced in the 2022 final. “I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee.” he remarked. “Let’s hope ours are as good as Monsieur Letexier was,”
However, the French head coach is not known for his diplomatic approach. In a typical combative manner, Deschamps spent a significant amount of time during his press conference explaining why he was unable to entertain one final question before begrudgingly answering it. He couldn’t resist taking a jab at critics, particularly those from the North African media, who had scrutinized the performance of French referee François Letexier in the last-16 match between Argentina and Egypt.
“There’s been a certain bitterness for a few years now since the last final, but that’s part of the game,” he quipped. He also dismissed inquiries from a Moroccan journalist regarding a potential penalty that could have been awarded for a foul on Sofiane Boufal during the semi-final clash between the two teams in 2022.
The integrity of officiating has been a contentious topic leading up to this match, especially with Facundo Tello appointed as the main referee, supported by two Argentinian assistants and another Argentinian fourth official. “If these referees are there, it’s because they’re up to the level of the competition.” noted Robin Risser, France’s reserve goalkeeper, while attempting to downplay the controversy that has surfaced on social media. “unworthy of your position”
The aftereffects of the intense last-16 victory over Paraguay continue to reverberate. Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical party, recently deleted social media posts in which she directed racial abuse at Kylian Mbappé, who secured France’s victory with his penalty. Amarilla has since demanded an apology after Mbappé labeled her “They don’t have the profile of Paraguay,” and “We will need to be very effective because this Morocco is of very high quality. The level rises as you climb the mountain. Mindset doesn’t win matches but it can make you lose them.” Both the Paraguayan government and FIFA condemned her actions, while French prosecutors are currently investigating the matter.
France’s players displayed exceptional composure during the match against Paraguay, and their federation has shown disdain for the circumstances surrounding the one-match ban imposed on USA forward Folarin Balogun. This ban stemmed from a red card issued against him for an incident involving Michael Olise, who received a yellow card after Paraguay’s Matías Galarza theatrically fell to the ground, despite replays indicating Olise merely tugged his shirt.
Deschamps confirmed that FIFA has upheld the yellow card decision, and there was no application of article 27 of the disciplinary code, which was previously invoked in Balogun’s case, seemingly following intervention from Donald Trump.
In discussing Morocco, Deschamps emphasized the challenge ahead. “The goal is to do everything to make sure it goes well,” he said. “That is the only thing driving me.”
Given that he will depart from the France coaching position after this tournament, the quarter-final may serve as Deschamps’s farewell. “The goal is to do everything to make sure it goes well,” he stated. “That is the only thing driving me.”
