Deschamps drops appeal against Riolo, chooses peace

Didier Deschamps has decided to abandon his appeal in the defamation proceedings against journalist Daniel Riolo, it was confirmed on Thursday. The withdrawal was officially filed on September 21, ending a legal battle that was set to resume before the courts on January 13, 2027.

In January, Daniel Riolo was acquitted at first instance following the complaint filed by the former France manager. Deschamps had then appealed, but ultimately decided not to pursue the case further.

It was his lawyer, Maître Wekstein, who explained the reasons for this reversal. “We discussed with Didier the merits of continuing this case on appeal,” she told L’Équipe. The conclusion of these discussions became clear naturally, according to her: “By stepping down as France manager at the end of an exceptional career, Didier has also found, in his daily life, a form of peace, which everyone is entitled to seek. He prefers to look to the future.”

Maître Wekstein was careful to clarify the scope of the initial judgment. “The judgment, based on purely technical grounds, which in my view do not hold up legally, does not say that Riolo’s accusations against Didier are founded: their truth was never examined. However, it recognizes Daniel Riolo’s intention to cast discredit on Didier, describes his remarks as anathemas, and finds that Didier could legitimately have been hurt.”

Since leaving the national team, the 1998 World Cup champion — and 2018 World Cup winner as manager — appears to have indeed distanced himself from controversies. He was notably spotted in the stands at a Ligue 3 match in Concarneau, as well as at one of Céline Dion’s concerts.