The mother of France head coach Didier Deschamps passed away earlier this week.
FIFA have rejected France’s request to wear black armbands in tribute to Didier Deschamps’ mother who died earlier this week. Les Bleus head coach will be absent from their final group match against Norway on Friday (8pm kick-off) as he attends her funeral.
A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off in Massachusetts, according to RMC Sport, who say that the observed tribute will be for the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela, where the death toll has risen to 920. France have already qualified and can round off their group stage with maximum points if they beat Norway, Guy Stephan will step-in for Deschamps in his absence.
The French Football Federation released a statement on Tuesday confirming that the World Cup-winning manager had returned home from the United States.
It read: “Didier Deschamps will not be able to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match. He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game.
“The national team coach learned this morning of the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.
“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility for leading the squad until his return.”
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Stephan will oversee France’s final group match against a much-changed Norway, who made 10 changes with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard dropping to the bench. Kylian Mbappe has played an inspirational role for France at the World Cup with a brace in each of their opening two wins over Senegal and Iraq.
The experienced assistant has been Deschamps’ right-hand man for 17 years after joining the 57-year-old at Marseille. It will be Stephans’ first time in the dugout since he took charge of Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.
FIFA have been approached for comment.
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