FIFA rejects France appeal, Olise yellow card stands

France's appeal to have a yellow card shown to star midfielder Michael Olise rescinded has been denied by FIFA, head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed on Wednesday. The decision means Olise will be suspended for a potential World Cup semifinal if he receives another booking in Thursday's quarterfinal against Morocco.

The yellow card was issued to the 24-year-old Bayern Munich playmaker in the 97th minute of France's 1-0 Round of 16 victory over Paraguay in Philadelphia. It followed an altercation with Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza, who fell to the ground holding his face. Video replays appeared to show Olise grabbing Galarza's shirt, with minimal contact to the face. The French Football Federation subsequently appealed the caution, arguing the evidence did not support the booking.

Deschamps announced the unsuccessful appeal at a press conference in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on the eve of the quarterfinal. "The yellow card has not changed," Deschamps said. "We received FIFA's decision this morning, it has been maintained." Two other French players, Manu Koné and Bradley Barcola, were also booked against Paraguay and face the same suspension risk.