France Lose Appeal Over Olise Booking Ahead Of Morocco World Cup clash, Saibari Out

France have failed in their attempt to overturn Michael Olise’s yellow card, leaving the Bayern Munich winger at risk of suspension ahead of the business end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Olise was cautioned deep into stoppage time during France’s hard-fought 1-0 last-16 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia after clashing with Matias Galarza. The Paraguay midfielder went to ground after the French winger grabbed his shirt during the confrontation.

The booking remains on Olise’s record despite an appeal from the French Football Federation.

“The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by Fifa this morning, it has been maintained,” France manager Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday before Thursday’s quarter-final against Morocco at Boston Stadium.

The decision means Olise, who has already provided five assists at the tournament, will miss a potential semi-final against either Spain or Belgium if France beat Morocco and he picks up another yellow card.

The outcome comes after FIFA suspended the red card handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun earlier in the tournament, allowing him to feature in the Americans’ last-16 clash with Belgium.

Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone also entered the referee’s book against Paraguay, who escaped the match without a single yellow card from referee Ilgiz Tantashev despite several flashpoints.

Paraguay defender Gustavo Velazquez attempted to scuff the penalty spot before Kylian Mbappe converted the decisive penalty. France also felt aggrieved after Dayot Upamecano was elbowed in the ribs by Gabriel Avalos, while Andres Cubas produced a heavy challenge on Adrien Rabiot.

The controversy continued after the match, with Mbappe branding a Paraguayan senator “despicable” and unworthy of her office following racist remarks directed at the France captain over his background and education.

Meanwhile, Morocco have suffered a major injury setback before their quarter-final meeting with France.

Midfielder Ismael Saibari has been ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury during Morocco’s 3-0 last-16 victory over co-hosts Canada.

Saibari had been one of Morocco’s standout performers, scoring against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage before converting the winning penalty in the shootout victory over the Netherlands in the last 32.

The 25-year-old, who recently completed a move from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich, was forced off after just 22 minutes against Canada.

“He’s not ready but I hope it’s not the end of the tournament for him,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

Morocco will now have to cope without one of their most influential players as they seek revenge for their 2022 World Cup semi-final defeat to France.