FIFA face wrath of fans again with Michael Olise decision after Donald Trump's USA call

The world football governing body have made a controversial decision over Michael Olise's punishment after Donald Trump's request

France's hopes of seeing Michael Olise's yellow card against Paraguay rescinded have ended in failure, just days after Donald Trump's personal request led to Folarin Balogun's red card being suspended. The Bayern Munich star will be walking the tightrope in the World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, knowing he will be suspended for the semi-final if he receives a caution on Thursday.

Olise was involved in an altercation with Matías Galarza off the ball, whereby the Paraguay midfielder collapsed to the floor holding his face. However, replays appeared to show Olise only holding his shirt and that he didn't make contact with his face.

The French Football Federation (FFF) felt they had grounds for an appeal after FIFA's shock decision to suspend Balogun's one-match ban and allow the forward to play against Belgium. However, head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed the appeal had been rejected.

"There was no change with Olise's yellow card," said Deschamps. "We received from FIFA a decision this morning [Wednesday] that Olise's yellow card remains."

Trump's request to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his subsequent success in getting the ban amended has stoked outrage amongst rival nations in the World Cup. The U.S President controversially requested FIFA president Gianni Infantino intervene to ensure Balogun was able to play in their last-16 clash against Belgium.

In an extraordinary move, FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee ruled that Balogun would be available for the game as his one-game ban was suspended under Article 27 of FIFA regulations. The striker did play in the game, only for the USA to fall to a 4-1 defeat.

However, the same luxury was not afforded to France and Olise. England were also rumoured to be considering an appeal for Jarell Quansah following his red card against Mexico, but the risk of that ban being extended means they may not risk putting in an appeal.

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The status of Olise's availability was one of the question marks against France as they aim for a repeat of the semi-final from the 2022 World Cup, where they beat Morocco before losing in the final to Argentina. Olise, along with seven-goal hero Kylian Mbappe, has been one of the stars of the tournament in North America.

Victory for France would set up a likely semi-final against Spain, with England or potentially a rematch against Argentina possibly awaiting them in the final on July 19. It would also mean that Deschamps had led them to the semi-finals in three successive tournaments.

It remains to be seen whether he will risk Olise picking up a yellow card, which would rule him out of the last four.

Either way, Deschamps still has Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue to choose from in case he decides to leave Olise on the bench.

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