​France coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday that FIFA has rejected the appeal against the yellow card shown to Michael Olise during the World Cup last-16 win over Paraguay. Olise, who has been among the tournament’s standout performers, was booked in the final moments of the tense clash in Philadelphia after an exchange with Matias Galarza. Deschamps confirmed to reporters in Foxborough, ahead of France’s quarter-final against Morocco at Gillette Stadium, that the yellow card stands: “The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning; it has been maintained.”
In replays, the contact between Olise and Galarza appeared minimal. The Bayern Munich winger had placed his finger to his lips, and the Paraguayan defender fell to the ground claiming he had been struck in the face. FIFA’s decision to uphold the booking places Olise on a fragile footing for the rest of the tournament; if he is booked again in the Morocco game, he would be suspended for a possible semi-final against Spain or Belgium. Additionally, Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone also received cautions against Paraguay and face potential bans.
Deschamps indicated that Aurelien Tchouameni is progressing well from a thigh injury that kept him out of the Paraguay match. “Aurelien is doing better. I can’t say more than that. He might participate in training today, but I will need to assess. The others are all available,” he stated.
The coach’s updates come as France prepares for a pivotal quarter-final test against Morocco, with Olise’s suspension risk looming if another booking occurs. Deschamps’ squad must navigate those disciplinary concerns while contending with the challenge presented by a Moroccan side eager to upset the defending champions. The overall message from the French camp remains focused on performance and strategy as they advance deeper into the tournament.