Supporters of the French national team and Argentina find themselves in a peculiar situation as they share a common concern regarding officiating in the ongoing World Cup. Recently, fans of the Argentine team expressed their dissatisfaction over the appointment of French referee François Letexier to officiate the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. This sentiment appears to be echoed by French fans, who are beginning to understand the frustrations of their Argentine counterparts. On July 7, FIFA announced that Argentine referee Facundo Tello would lead the officiating team for the quarterfinal match between France and Morocco. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given the existing rivalry between France and Argentina following the dramatic final of the 2022 World Cup, in which France emerged as the runner-up.
The officiating team for this critical match will consist entirely of Argentine nationals, as confirmed by FIFA through social media channels. This choice has been perceived by many French supporters as a provocative move, especially in light of the heated emotions stemming from the recent World Cup final. In light of Tello's appointment, French defender Dayot Upamecano voiced his thoughts, stating, "I do not focus on who the referee is. I have never done that. We want to win this match, and that is all that matters." Similarly, goalkeeper Robin Risser emphasized the need to avoid paranoia regarding officiating decisions, asserting, "If these referees are here, it is because they are qualified for this competition. We need to concentrate on what we can control to advance to the next round."
Facundo Tello: A Referee with an Impressive Record
Facundo Tello, hailing from Bahia Blanca in Buenos Aires Province, boasts an impressive resume as a professional referee, having officiated in 434 matches throughout his career. He is known for his assertive officiating style, having issued a staggering 2,032 yellow cards and 75 red cards since the outset of his career. Notably, Tello made headlines during a match in 2022 when he issued ten red cards during the Argentine Champions Trophy, a record-breaking incident that included seven red cards following a mass brawl at the end of the game. His experience also extends to international competitions, as he officiated the final of the Copa Libertadores in 2024 and has participated in two World Cups, including his debut in 2022 where he refereed three matches.
In the 2022 World Cup, one of Tello's standout matches was the quarterfinal clash between Morocco and Portugal, which Morocco won 1-0, a memorable moment for Moroccan supporters. This Thursday, as Tello officiates the match against France, Moroccan fans will be reminded of that successful encounter. In contrast, Portuguese fans had criticized the decision to appoint an Argentine referee for that match, reflecting the tension and partisan sentiments that can emerge during high-stakes international tournaments. As for the ongoing 2026 World Cup, Tello has already officiated two group stage matches, including a draw between Canada and Bosnia Herzegovina and a match between South Africa and South Korea. This upcoming encounter marks the first time the French team will face Tello in an international match, adding another layer of intrigue to this highly anticipated quarterfinal.
Interestingly, Tello's journey to this pivotal match was not without its challenges. Earlier this year, while officiating a qualifying match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jamaica, Tello sustained an injury that could have sidelined him from the competition. Fortunately, medical examinations ruled out any serious damage, allowing him to recover in time to officiate this crucial quarterfinal matchup between France and Morocco.
As reported by france24.com.
