France manager Deschamps questions referee's standard after Spain semifinal loss
Match Report·14 July 2026·3h ago

France manager Deschamps questions referee's standard after Spain semifinal loss

Source: Il Messaggero – Roma

France manager Deschamps expressed doubts about referee Barton's capability to oversee the World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, which the Spanish won. The 35-year-old Salvadoran official, in his seventh World Cup match overall and third of this tournament, made two notable errors early in the contest: he initially forgot the spray used to enforce free-kick distances, then awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances.

The disputed penalty came when Lucas Digne, the former Roma defender, misjudged a ball in the Spanish penalty area and was beaten by Yamal. Digne had already swung his leg to clear the ball when he struck the Spanish attacker, who went down. Barton immediately indicated the spot-kick, drew criticism from the French players who surrounded him, but upheld his decision after consulting.

Deschamps said: "I don't seek excuses; Spain was superior and we were poor, but I do wonder whether the referee was up to the standard of this match. I don't say it because we lost, but there were several situations to discuss." Barton has made history as the first referee to send off a player for covering his mouth during play, having dismissed Almiron in Turkey–Paraguay during the group stage.

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Story Coverage3 sources on this story

Spain defeated France 2–0 in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, with goals from Oyarzabal's penalty and Pedro Porro, eliminating the French from the tournament. Roma midfielder Manu Koné started on the bench, with France manager Deschamps opting for Real Madrid's Tchouaméni alongside Rabiot in midfield, though Koné entered at halftime to replace the cautioned Rabiot. According to Roma News, the tactical change reflected Tchouaméni's return from injury rather than criticism of Koné's performances, which had impressed during the quarterfinal against Morocco. Il Messaggero reports that Deschamps questioned referee Barton's standard for the match, citing two early errors—forgetting the spray for free-kick distances and a controversial penalty decision when Lucas Digne, the former Roma defender, struck Yamal. While acknowledging Spain's superiority, Deschamps stated there were "several situations to discuss." France now faces the third-place playoff on July 18, while Spain advances to the final against either England or Argentina on July 19.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Francia-Spagna, prima semifinale dei Mondiali, è stata diretta dal 35enne salvadoregno Barton entrato nella storia per essere stato il primo direttore di gara a espellere un calciatore per essersi coperto la bocca (Almiron in Turchia-Paraguay, fase a girone). L'arbitro, alla settima partita diretta…”

Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.

Read original on Il Messaggero – Roma →

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