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France’s attempt to overturn midfielder Michael Olise’s contentious yellow card has been dismissed, as FIFA upheld the referee’s original decision, confirmed coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday. The ruling means Olise remains at risk of suspension for the World Cup semi-final if he collects another booking during France’s quarter-final match against Morocco on Thursday.

“There has been no change regarding Olise’s yellow card. We were informed this morning that FIFA decided to maintain it,” Deschamps said. The French Football Federation had appealed the card, which Olise received in the 97th minute of France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay after a heated exchange with Matías Galarza. Video evidence appeared to show Olise merely grabbing Galarza’s shirt before the Paraguayan player fell to the ground.

The ruling contrasts sharply with a recent case involving US forward Folarin Balogun. FIFA overturned Balogun’s red card suspension following a phone call from former US president Donald Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, advocating for the striker’s reinstatement. Balogun then featured in the US side’s 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a result that knocked them out of the tournament.

Reporters immediately questioned Deschamps about the status of Olise’s appeal as France prepared for their fourth straight World Cup quarter-final. A win would keep the reigning champions in contention to become only the third nation, after Germany and Brazil, to reach the semi-finals in three consecutive tournaments.

However, Deschamps’s press briefing was dominated by several off-field matters, including racist remarks aimed at Kylian Mbappé, concerns regarding refereeing standards, and speculation about his own future. The upcoming encounter with Morocco, a rematch of their 2022 Qatar World Cup semi-final, has prompted French authorities to deploy thousands of police officers in anticipation of possible disturbances.

Mbappé himself denounced comments made by a Paraguayan senator following her nation’s defeat to France. Deschamps reassured that his captain remained composed and focused. “Kylian is fine. Whatever has been said, I don’t want to dwell on it. He’s incredibly strong—both mentally and physically—and fully concentrated on tomorrow’s game,” the coach stated.

Concerns about officiating emerged after three French players were booked in the match against Paraguay, while none of their opponents received a yellow card in what was an ill-tempered contest. Yet, Deschamps downplayed the issue. “It’s beyond our control,” he remarked. “I trust the referees. Some decisions will always be debated, depending on perspective. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee. The referee’s job is to apply the laws of the game fairly.”

Deschamps, 57, who captained France to their 1998 World Cup triumph and has managed the national team for 14 years—including their 2018 World Cup victory—was also asked about his possible departure after this tournament. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m not thinking about that,” he said. “The last game could have been the final one. For now, my staff and I are focused on winning tomorrow. In football, anything can happen, but our goal is clear—to beat Morocco.”