FIFA Reject France’s Appeal Over Olise Booking Before World Cup Quarter-Final

France will head into their World Cup quarter-final against Morocco without success in their bid to overturn Michael Olise’s yellow card, after FIFA rejected the team’s appeal.

Coach Didier Deschamps disclosed on Wednesday that football’s governing body had upheld the booking issued to the Bayern Munich winger during France’s tense Round of 16 victory over Paraguay.

“The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning, it has been maintained,” Deschamps said while speaking to reporters in Foxborough on the eve of Thursday’s quarter-final at Gillette Stadium.

Olise received the caution in the dying minutes of the heated contest following a confrontation with Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza.

Video replays suggested there was little contact between the players, with Olise appearing to gesture by placing a finger in front of his mouth before Galarza went to ground alleging he had been hit.

The upheld booking means Olise remains at risk of suspension, as another yellow card against Morocco would rule him out of a possible semi-final against either Spain or Belgium.

Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone are also one caution away from a one-match suspension after receiving yellow cards in the Paraguay fixture.

Deschamps also offered a positive update on Aurelien Tchouameni, who was sidelined for the Round of 16 match because of a thigh injury.

“Aurelien is doing better. I can’t say more than that. He will maybe take part in training today but I will need to see. The others are all available,” he said.

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