Deschamps Urges Fair Officiating Before France-Morocco Quarterfinal as 2022 Penalty Dispute Still Lingers
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · Jul 8
Deschamps Urges Fair Officiating Before France-Morocco Quarterfinal as 2022 Penalty Dispute Still Lingers
3 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Jul 8
Summary
Didier Deschamps said France wants Argentinian referee Facundo Tello to apply the laws fairly in Thursday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco, after officiating disputes have shadowed the tournament.
The concern follows Egypt’s formal FIFA complaint over French referee François Letexier in Argentina’s 3-2 win, a match that featured six stoppage-time cautions, a red card and a disallowed Egyptian goal.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi publicly backed Tello as experienced and calm, but Morocco also carries grievance from its 2-0 semifinal loss to France in 2022, when it felt denied a penalty.
France enters 5-0-0 after a 1-0 win over Paraguay and is chasing a third World Cup title, while Deschamps warned AFCON champion Morocco is stronger than four years ago and built on a disciplined defense.