Olise facing suspension threat against Morocco as FFF appeals to FIFA

Michael Olise faces the quarter-final of the World Cup against Morocco on Thursday with a yellow card on his record and the threat of automatic suspension in the semi-final if he offends again. The French Football Federation has announced an appeal to FIFA to have the caution received by Bayern Munich’s winger overturned following the 1-0 victory over Paraguay.

The footage at the heart of the dispute shows that Olise did not touch Matias Galarza, with his Paraguayan opponent diving to the ground. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev nonetheless showed the yellow card, a decision all the more criticized given that Paraguay, guilty of numerous unsporting acts according to observers, finished the match without a single caution. France, meanwhile, received three yellow cards in total: in addition to Olise, Bradley Barcola and Manu Koné are also under suspension threat.

It is Olise’s case, however, that is causing the most concern in the French camp. An undisputed starter, he is one of the major architects of France’s run with five assists to his name in this World Cup. His disciplinary record heightens fears: the winger accumulated 12 yellow cards in 50 matches during the past season with Bayern Munich, compared to just three for Barcola in 49 matches and three for Koné in 37 appearances.

If the FFF succeeds with FIFA, Olise would start the quarter-final with a clean slate. If not, Didier Deschamps will have to manage the risk of losing his best creative outlet for a potential semi-final.