France's appeal against a yellow card shown to Michael Olise in the World Cup last-16 win over Paraguay has been rejected by FIFA, coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday. Olise, one of the tournament's standout players, received the booking in the final minutes of the match in Philadelphia following an altercation with Matias Galarza. 'The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning, it has been maintained,' Deschamps told reporters in Foxborough, ahead of France's quarter-final clash with Morocco at the Gillette Stadium.
Olise's Booking Puts Him at Risk
The decision by FIFA to uphold the booking means Olise is now at risk of suspension. If he receives another caution in the quarter-final against Morocco, he will be suspended for a potential semi-final against either Spain or Belgium. Fellow players Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone are also at risk of suspension after being booked against Paraguay.
Injury Updates and Referee Appointment
Deschamps provided an update on midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a thigh injury that ruled him out of the Paraguay game. '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,' Deschamps said of the Real Madrid player.
The France head coach also addressed the appointment of an Argentine referee, Facundo Tello, for the quarter-final against Morocco. Despite the rivalry between France and Argentina stemming from their 2022 World Cup final meeting, Deschamps refused to turn the referee appointment into a controversy. 'There is nothing I can do about refereeing appointments. I just try to have confidence in the officials,' he said.
Deschamps' Final Tournament
Deschamps, who led France to World Cup glory in 2018, will step down at the end of this tournament after 14 years in charge. Thursday's clash with Morocco will be his last if France loses. '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,' Deschamps insisted.
