Didier Deschamps complains to FIFA after France's World Cup exit to Spain

Didier Deschamps questioned FIFA’s decision to appoint Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton for the World Cup semi-final (EPA)

Didier Deschamps has questioned

FIFA

’s decision to appoint Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton for France’s

World Cup

semi-final defeat to Spain.

France crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday night as a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second-half strike from

Pedro Porro

sealed a deserved 2-0 win for Spain, who will play either

England

or Argentina in Sunday’s final.

However, France were unhappy with Barton’s decision to award a penalty to Spain after Lucas Digne kicked

Lamine Yamal

when he attempted to clear the ball.

After his side’s defeat, Deschamps conceded France were ‘were a step below technically’ against Spain but suggested that Barton should not have been tasked with officiating a World Cup semi-final.

‘There is obviously a lot of disappointment. The players are devastated because we had high ambitions,’ Deschamps said.

‘Although we have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a step below technically against a team that knew what they were doing. It’s primarily our fault.

‘Then I ask a question, and I’m not going to answer it: “Is the referee good enough to officiate a World Cup semi-final?” We’ve had a few of those situations, and I’m not going to answer them. And I’m not saying this because we lost today, but there have been certain situations… often unfavourable to us, too.’

France were unhappy with Ivan Barton’s decision to award a penalty to Spain (FIFA via Getty)

In a separate interview, Deschamps added: ‘I’m not going to dwell on it because otherwise I’ll sound like a cry-baby. Is the referee up to the standard of officiating a World Cup semi-final? That’s for you to decide.

‘I had fourth and fifth place referees next to me who were just as good. It’s not just the penalty, it’s a combination of factors. We’ve had more or less complicated situations in other matches. I have nothing against tonight’s referee, but ask yourselves the question.

‘But the main reason is that we were a bit below par and less dangerous offensively than we could have been. We made a few technical errors and missed passes that could have led to situations and chances.

‘We have to accept it, this is the highest level, even if it hurts. It was the last step before this potential final… so we’ll play the third-place match. We’ll play it, it doesn’t take anything away from what we’ve achieved. But in this match, Spain showed something extra.’

Spain will play either England or Argentina in the World Cup final (Getty)

Meanwhile, Spain captain

Rodri

was also unhappy with Barton’s performance as he believes Lamine Yamal should have been given greater protection.

‘We’ve been dealing with this type of situation for three games now,’ Rodri said.

‘We’re talking about 10 or 15 uncalled fouls. And if we don’t call them, the defences keep doing the same thing. The permissiveness is obvious, Especially today, but he had a great game.’

However, Spain head coach, Luis de la Fuente, believes his side have also suffered from ‘lenient’ referees during the World Cup.

Asked about Deschamps’ comments, De la Fuente said: ‘Well, when things don’t go our way, we can always find some excuse,

‘I have certainly had some difficult times with the refereeing, too. At times, it has reminded us of the match against Uruguay and I think that the referee’s leniency has something to do wit it.

‘I believe that you have to keep an eye on games and not let them get out of hand.

‘But if that’s how it is, then we’ve both suffered. I don’t think at all that it was the complete opposite. In fact, they ruled out a goal and some very close situations, especially in some offside actions.

‘But anyway, I’m not in a position to think about the referee right now. What I would like is for everyone to obviously improve, from referees, to VAR, to us, everyone who makes football, that we all become a little better every day.’

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