Deschamps denounces insults targeting his late mother, Paraguay categorically denies

France’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals at Paraguay’s expense (1-0) was overshadowed by controversy in the post-match press conference: Didier Deschamps denounced insults received on the bench, which RMC says were linked to his recently deceased mother.

“I could have done without the insults on the bench. Especially certain ones,” the France manager said without elaborating. According to RMC, some remarks made during the match may have targeted, even indirectly, Deschamps’ mother.

Facing these accusations, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro responded point by point. He first recalled his conduct immediately after the final whistle: “The first thing I did was go find Didier Deschamps. I wished him to reach the final and become world champion. I had already told him before the match that he had a fantastic team.”

Alfaro acknowledges “friction and clashes” inherent to the intensity of a World Cup round of 16, but confines them to ordinary match tensions. “That’s part of football, it’s the very nature of football. We harbored no animosity and did nothing particular. Words may have been exchanged in the heat of action, but I had asked my players not to react and to keep their composure,” he clarified.

When directly asked about insults targeting Deschamps’ mother, the Paraguay coach was categorical: “No, absolutely not. You can’t sink that low in football. Never. I thought you were referring to exchanges between players during the match. Honestly, I never heard that kind of insult and, knowing my staff, I’m convinced none of them would behave that way.”

Alfaro thus refused to apologize for an incident whose existence he contests. France continues its World Cup campaign and will face Morocco, who beat Canada 3-0, in the quarter-finals.