FIFA has denied France’s appeal of Michael Olise’s yellow card from the Round of 16 win over Paraguay, coach Didier Deschamps said. The booking stands, leaving Olise one caution away from a suspension if he is booked again in Thursday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco.
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-Sathish Raman
FIFA rejected France’s appeal against Michael Olise’s yellow card on Wednesday. France coach Didier Deschamps said the booking will stand. The decision keeps Olise one caution away from a suspension. France faced Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal on Thursday.
FIFA has denied France’s appeal of Michael Olise’s yellow card from the Round of 16 win over Paraguay, coach Didier Deschamps said. The booking stands, leaving Olise one caution away from a suspension if he is booked again in Thursday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco.
Deschamps confirmed the outcome after the team received FIFA’s response. “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 ruling means another yellow card on Thursday triggers a ban for a possible semifinal.
Michael Olise yellow card appeal and FIFA decision
France’s federation challenged the caution from the Round of 16 match. Olise was booked in the 97th minute of a 1-0 win over Paraguay. The incident involved an altercation with Matías Galarza. The appeal aimed to remove the risk of suspension in later World Cup matches.
During the scuffle, Galarza fell to the turf after contact. Replays appeared to show Olise holding the Paraguayan’s shirt. The footage then showed Galarza toppling to the grass. Despite the review, FIFA kept the yellow card in place.
FIFA appeals context and World Cup discipline
The France case followed another recent FIFA discipline decision. US President Donald Trump phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week. The call argued US striker Folarin Balogun should avoid suspension. Balogun had received a red card in a match last week.
FIFA later lifted Balogun’s suspension and allowed Balogun to play Belgium on Monday. The change did not alter the outcome for the US team. The United States went out after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. Balogun featured in the line-up.
France quarterfinal stakes with Michael Olise yellow card
Olise’s appeal was among the first topics raised with Deschamps on Wednesday. France were preparing for a fourth straight World Cup quarterfinal appearance. The Morocco match on Thursday carried added pressure for Olise. Another booking would rule Olise out of a potential semifinal.
France also chased a longer record with a quarterfinal win. Victory would keep France in line for a third straight World Cup semifinal. Only Germany and Brazil have done that in successive tournaments. Germany achieved it from 2002 to 2014 and from 1982 to 1990, while Brazil did it from 1994 to 2002.
With inputs from PTI
