FIFA rejects France's Olise yellow card appeal, leaving him one booking from semi-final ban

Michael Olise will enter France’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Thursday under the threat of suspension after FIFA rejected the French federation’s appeal of his yellow card, coach Didier Deschamps confirmed on Wednesday. A second booking in the quarter-final would rule Olise out of a potential semi-final.

“There was no change when it comes to Olise’s yellow card. We received FIFA’s decision this morning that the yellow card was maintained,” Deschamps said. The card was issued in the 97th minute of France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay, following an altercation with Matías Galarza. Video replays appeared to show Olise grasping Galarza’s jersey before the Paraguayan went to ground, prompting the French federation to contest the decision.

The ruling sits in uncomfortable contrast to FIFA’s handling of a separate case involving US striker Folarin Balogun. FIFA lifted Balogun’s suspension — stemming from a red card — after Donald Trump phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to argue for the player’s reinstatement. Balogun went on to feature in the United States’ 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a result that ended their tournament.

A win over Morocco would send France into the semi-finals for a third consecutive World Cup, a feat only Germany and Brazil have previously achieved. The match is a rematch of the Qatar 2022 semi-final, and French law enforcement is mobilising thousands of officers in anticipation of potential unrest.

Deschamps’ press conference was also dominated by off-field concerns, including racist remarks directed at Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator following France’s last-16 win. Deschamps moved to reassure reporters about his captain’s state of mind. “Kylian is OK. Whatever happens, I don’t want to look back and think about it again. He’s a very strong guy mentally, physically. He’s just focused on tomorrow’s game,” he said.

Questions about officiating also surfaced after France’s three yellow cards against Paraguay — compared to none for their opponents — in what Deschamps acknowledged was a fractious game. The coach, however, declined to dwell on the matter. “It is out of our control. I trust the refereeing. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee,” he said.