Deschamps says France ‘devastated’ by defeat, questions referee

DESCHAMPS..Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final (Photo: AFP) July 16, 2026 ARLINGTON, United States — France coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left “devastated” by their World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday before aiming a barb at match referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador. Deschamps’ free-flowing French team had dazzled the competition en route to the last four, rattling in 16 goals in six games to earn comparisons to some of the greatest teams in World Cup history. But France’s dreams of a third World Cup title were left in tatters after a dominant Spanish performance that left Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament, struggling for answers. “Of course, there is a lot of disappointment,” Deschamps said immediately after the defeat at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. “The players are devastated because we had a lot of ambition, even though we also have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a notch below on the technical level against a team that controlled the game well. “But first of all, it’s our fault, I don’t want to blame anyone.” Deschamps though could not resist firing a shot at referee Barton, who had awarded Spain an early penalty after Lucas Digne kicked Lamine Yamal in the first half. “I’ll ask a loaded question and I won’t answer it,” Deschamps said. “Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final? “And I’m not saying this just because we lost today. There were quite a few situations. There were some favourable calls, too,” he said, without elaborating. International News, Latest News NOISY-SUR-ECOLE, France (AFP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pledged "zero tolerance" for arson after wildfires scorched thousands of ... KINGSTON, Jamaica--IMAGE Plus Consultants Limited earned the equivalent of two-thirds of its entire 2025/26 profit during the first three months of th... Entertainment, Latest News Last March, the Palmer brothers were among 12 reggae stalwarts honoured by the Brent City Council for their contribution to the music’s development in... International News, Latest News WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) -- President Donald Trump's administration moved Thursday to impose stricter limits on how long foreign students and j... International News, Latest News WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) -- US consumers slowed their spending in June while energy costs fell, government data showed Thursday, cooling retail... KINGSTON, Jamaica -- MOTORISTS travelling the full length of the Highway 2000 North-South Link could soon pay $5,220 for a round trip between Caymanas... KINGSTON, Jamaica — INNOVATIVE Energy Group Limited (IEG) is banking on approximately $2.3 billion in newly secured and restarted projects to sustain ... BY RENAE OSBOURNE Observer staff reporter osbourner@jamaicaobserver.com The Ministry of Education (MOE) has increased operational funding to all public schools by an average of 55 per cent this year, injecting an additiona... Facebook Twitter Instagram Polls Recent Posts Archives