Didier Deschamps has placed his trust in the Argentine referees ahead of France's World Cup quarter-final against Morocco tomorrow (July 9th).
There has been plenty of backlash over FIFA's decision to appoint a team full of Argentine officials for the clash between Les Bleus and the Atlas Lions. Tension between Argentina and France from the 2022 World Cup final has built a rivalry between the two nations.
Deschamps gave a frosty response to questions about the situation and alluded to the refereeing performance in Argentina's controversial 3-2 win against Morocco. French referee Francois Letexier has come under fire for several contentious decisions made during the Round of 32 game on Sunday.
Deschamps Praise For Argentina vs Egypt Referee
Letexier ruled out an Egyptian goal after VAR intervened for a tame foul, which would have made it 2-0 to the African nation. A similar challenge occurred in the build-up to Enzo Fernandez's winner, leaving the Egyptians irate.
Deschamps fielded questions ahead of France's encounter with Morocco, and many of them focused on the appointment of Argentine officials. He eventually responded to one reporter: "We have to deal with it. I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee. Let’s hope ours are as good as Monsieur Letexier was."
FIFA have confirmed that Facundo Tello will referee the game, and he will be supported by assistants Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade. Fellow Argentine Dario Herrera has been named the fourth official, making this the first match to be handled exclusively by a single nation.
Tello has a reputation for being card-happy and, in fact, handed out 10 red cards in one match. That came when he officiated the Argentine Super Cup back in 2022 and he's now set to take charge of one of the biggest games at this year's World Cup.
France have been the team to beat this summer's World Cup and head into the game against Morocco as favourites. There is still a chance that a repeat of the 2022 final between the two nations in Qatar takes place.
Argentina are defending their World Cup and overcame Egypt with a late comeback win. The Moroccan manager and players hit out at Letexier's performance and felt the South Americans and Lionel Messi were handed preferential treatment.
The feeling in the French camp isn't one of concern, and the squad are remaining professional rather than focusing on the officiating. Deschamps isn't the only one from the France team to downplay the appointment's significance.
Dayot Upamecano has also insisted that it has no impact: "I’m not going to focus on who the referee will be. We’ve never done that before, we’re going to focus on Morocco."
Madame Celeste Amarilla has now shared a bizarre statement as the drama escalates.
Should France beat Morocco, they will face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals. A meeting with Argentina could take place in the final if Lionel Scaloni's men defeat Switzerland in the quarter-finals and England or Norway in the semis.
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