Didier Deschamps has expressed that he remains unfazed by the selection of Argentine officials to referee the upcoming World Cup quarter-final clash between France and Morocco on Thursday. He noted that a repeat of the 2022 final against Argentina remains a possibility. “I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee.” he stated. “Let’s hope ours are as good as Monsieur Letexier was,”
Although Deschamps is known for his straightforwardness, his demeanor during the press conference was notably combative. He dedicated at least 90 seconds to explaining why he could not entertain one last question before begrudgingly providing an answer. He also took a jab at critics, particularly among the North African media, who had questioned the performance of French referee François Letexier during Argentina’s last-16 match against Egypt on Tuesday.
“There’s been a certain bitterness for a few years now since the last final, but that’s part of the game,” Deschamps remarked. He further dismissed inquiries from a Moroccan journalist about a potential penalty for a foul on Sofiane Boufal in the 2022 semi-final match between the two teams.
The integrity surrounding officiating has been a hot topic lately, especially with Facundo Tello appointed as the referee, accompanied by two Argentinian assistants and an Argentinian fourth official. Argentina reacted strongly to a misinterpreted remark made by Kylian Mbappé prior to the last tournament, which partially incited a racist chant during their victory celebrations after the final in Doha. The relationship between the two nations has been strained in the years since.
“If these referees are there, it’s because they’re up to the level of the competition.” commented France’s reserve goalkeeper Robin Risser, trying to downplay the issue that has gained traction on social media. “unworthy of your position”
The fallout from France’s intense last-16 victory over Paraguay continues to loom large, with Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical party, recently deleting posts in which she racially insulted Kylian Mbappé. This came after he scored the decisive penalty in that match. Amarilla has since demanded an apology from Mbappé for calling her “They don’t have the profile of Paraguay,” unworthy of her position. The Paraguayan government and FIFA have condemned her actions, and French prosecutors are currently investigating.
Despite the circumstances, France’s players demonstrated remarkable composure against Paraguay. Their federation expressed disdain towards the controversies that led to the suspension of USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for a red card after appealing a yellow card issued to Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich forward received a booking after a Paraguay midfielder, Matías Galarza, theatrically fell to the ground, clutching his face when replays revealed that Olise merely grabbed his shirt.
Deschamps confirmed that FIFA has upheld the yellow card decision, with no application of article 27 of the disciplinary code, unlike Balogun’s case, which reportedly involved Donald Trump’s intervention.
The head coach emphasized the formidable challenge that Morocco presents. “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.” he remarked. “The goal is to do everything to make sure it goes well,”
As he prepares to leave his position after this tournament, the quarter-final could mark Deschamps’s final appearance in charge. “That is the only thing driving me.” he concluded. “That is the only thing driving me.”
