The French national team players have chosen to steer clear of any controversy surrounding the appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello for their upcoming quarterfinal match against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for Thursday. The players emphasized that their complete focus is directed towards the game itself rather than the identity of the officiating crew.
Tello’s appointment comes in the wake of criticism faced by Uzbek referee Alghiz Tantashiev during the Round of 16 match between France and Paraguay. This decision has also rekindled memories of the controversies that arose in Argentina following the selection of French referee François Letexier for their match against Egypt, particularly due to the historical rivalry between France and Argentina and the potential for a rematch in the final of the tournament.
Upamecano: Our Focus Is on Morocco
French defender Dayot Upamecano has dismissed any notion that the referee’s appointment could impact the team's preparations, asserting that the squad is accustomed to ignoring such distractions. In a recent press conference, he stated, "I won’t concentrate on the referee's identity; we have never done that. Our focus is entirely on Morocco, and our goal is to win the match, as that is the most important thing."
Resier: Avoiding Paranoia
Adding to this sentiment, third-choice goalkeeper Ruben Resier urged against inflating the issue, noting that referee selections are made based on competency standards. He commented, "We should not fall into the trap of paranoia; that’s your role (the media) to amplify such matters. It’s true that there’s lingering bitterness from the 2022 World Cup final, but that’s part of the game. If these referees are here, it’s because they possess the qualifications necessary to officiate matches at this level."
Furthermore, sources close to the French team have pointed out that FIFA previously appointed a Dutch referee for a match between France and Sweden, despite the possibility of both teams meeting later in the tournament, indicating that such appointments are not unusual.
Facundo Tello, aged 44, boasts substantial international experience, having officiated two matches in the 2026 World Cup so far, including South Africa versus South Korea and Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, he refereed three matches during the 2022 World Cup, including the quarterfinal showdown between Morocco and Portugal, which concluded with a victory for Morocco by a single goal.
Known for his propensity to issue cards, Tello has shown 16 yellow cards and one red card since his World Cup debut, establishing a reputation for being a strict referee.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
