Didier Deschamps blasts referee following France's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat vs Spain
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-final game.
Nothing was going France’s way in Spain’s emphatic World Cup semifinal victory against Les Bleus on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium. Apart from being utterly overwhelmed in the 2-0 loss, France coach Didier Deschamps was upset with the referee.
Speaking to the media after the match, Deschamps, who is set to resign as France coach as a result of the loss, chastised El Salvador referee Iván Barton.
Didier Deschamps comments on referee’s decision after France’s defeat
Deschamps stated that he did not feel Barton was a qualified referee for a World Cup semi-final. Barton chose to keep the yellow card in his pocket following a reckless Lamine Yamal foul, although he called more fouls against Spain than France.
“I will ask a question… does the referee possess the required level to manage a World Cup semi-final?”
Didier Deschamps was most certainly upset at the penalty given to Spain in the first half. But considering Spain’s domination in the match, it appeared unusual for Deschamps to criticise the referee.
His squad got outplayed. It was that simple. The match did not come down to a call or an official decision.
Didier Deschamps to step down as France coach
Deschamps said in early 2025 that he will stand down from his position following the World Cup 2026.
“In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is very good,” Deschamps told French network TF1.
“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this,” Deschamps added. “The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”
What did Didier Deschamps say about the referee?
He questioned the referee’s ability to officiate in a FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match.
Will Didier Deschamps step down as France coach?
Yes, he confirmed in an interview FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his last time managing France.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.