Deschamps v Riolo: Defamation Appeal Trial Set for January 13, 2027

The Paris Court of Appeal has set January 13, 2027 at 1:30 p.m. for the appeal hearing in the defamation case filed by Didier Deschamps against journalist Daniel Riolo. The information, revealed by Le Parisien, was confirmed by the editorialist’s lawyer.

The dispute stems from comments made by Riolo between January and March 2023 on the L’After Foot show on RMC. The 56-year-old journalist had publicly called Deschamps a “liar,” accusing him of orchestrating Karim Benzema’s departure just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, claiming the striker could have participated in the final tournament. Riolo had also stated that Deschamps’ name appeared in “all the shady affairs in French football,” citing notably the VA-OM corruption scandal (1993) and doping suspicions at Juventus Turin in the 1990s.

Deeming his honor tarnished, the 1998 World Cup winner filed a defamation complaint. At the first-instance trial held in November 2025 at the Paris criminal court, Deschamps justified his action from the stand: “I had no choice; it is impossible for me to let these remarks pass that damage my honor. He attacks the man I am.”

On January 30, 2026, the court acquitted Daniel Riolo. Refusing to accept the verdict, Deschamps immediately appealed, reigniting a legal battle that will continue until January 2027.