FIFA just did something it has never done in the history of the World Cup: it assigned an entire officiating crew from a single country to a knockout-stage match. All five officials for the France vs. Morocco quarter-final on July 9 are Argentine. And France’s head coach, Didier Deschamps, says he’s not losing sleep over it.
The appointment of referee Facundo Tello, assistants Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, fourth official Darío Herrera, and reserve assistant Cristian Navarro marks the first time every match official in a World Cup game has come from the same nation. In a tournament where neutrality is supposed to be the foundational principle of officiating, that’s a choice.
What Deschamps actually said
The French manager took the diplomatic route, which is probably the only route available when you’re still in the tournament and don’t want to give FIFA a reason to scrutinize your squad’s next yellow card.
“I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee.”
