One Match, Ten Red Cards: The fiery past of the referee set to officiate 'France vs Morocco'

The referee appointed for the blockbuster France vs. Morocco World Cup quarter-final on Thursday, July 9, 2026, is no stranger to controversy, having once delivered one of the most dramatic disciplinary displays in football history.

Argentine official Facundo Tello will take charge of the highly anticipated clash, but his name first gained global attention in 2022 after a chaotic encounter between Boca Juniors and Racing Club in Argentina’s Champions Trophy final.

In that match, Tello showed a staggering 10 red cards, seven to Boca Juniors players and three to Racing Club, cementing his reputation as a referee unafraid to act decisively when tempers flare.

The drama unfolded late in the game after Racing midfielder Carlos Alcaraz scored the winning goal in extra time and celebrated in front of Boca supporters.

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His celebration sparked anger from Boca players, leading to a mass confrontation involving players from both teams.

Tello responded by dismissing Alcaraz and several others involved in the altercation, turning the final minutes of the match into a red-card frenzy.

Despite that infamous night, Tello has since continued to rise on the international stage and has been trusted with major matches, including World Cup fixtures.

Now, he faces another high-pressure assignment as France take on Morocco, with the Argentine official leading an all-Argentine officiating team, a decision that has sparked debate given Argentina’s rivalry with France.

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