According to RMC Sport, FIFA has rejected France’s request to wear a black armband in honor of Didier Deschamps’ mother. Les Bleus’ head coach was absent from the final group stage game against Norway in order to attend the funeral of his girlfriend, who passed away earlier this week.
A minute’s silence was observed in Massachusetts before kickoff in honor of the victims of the Venezuelan earthquake, which killed 920 people. France have already qualified and can finish the group stage without conceding a goal if they beat Norway, but Guy Stephan will be filling in for Deschamps as coach in his absence. The French Football Federation released a statement on Tuesday confirming that the World Cup-winning coach has left the United States to return home.
“Didier Deschamps will be unable to supervise the training session ahead of the match between Norway and France and will also be absent from the bench in Friday’s final Group I match. The national team coach learned of his mother’s death this morning and will return to France to attend the funeral,” it read.
“In agreement with French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo, who is currently in the French team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with the responsibility of leading the team until his return.”
Before the match, Norway presented a bouquet of flowers to the substitute French national team coach to express their condolences to Deschamps. Stefan will be in charge of France’s final group game against Norway, which saw a heavy rotation with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard on the bench and 10 changes made.
Kylian Mbappé played for France at the World Cup, scoring two goals in their first wins against Senegal and Iraq.
The experienced assistant has been Deschamps’ trusted representative for 17 years, having first teamed up with the 57-year-old at Marseille. It will be Stefan’s first time in the dugout since coaching Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.
The final tournament is fast approaching for France, who are looking to avenge their loss to Argentina four years ago. Mbappe endured intense scrutiny after a disappointing first spell at Real Madrid. As a result, expectations were weighing heavily on him heading into the tournament, but after a difficult opening 45 minutes against Senegal, he justified his status as France’s talisman.
Les Bleus got off to a lightning start, with Mbappé hitting the bar within 30 seconds, before assisting Ousmane Dembele’s opener just six minutes later. The pair struck after 15 minutes, with the Paris Saint-Germain star scoring from outside the box.
FIFA has been contacted for comment.
