The decision to award a penalty to the French team against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final sparked widespread controversy, after the specialized refereeing analysis account 'Archivo VAR' criticized the decision of Argentine referee Facundo Tello to award the foul.

The referee had awarded a penalty to France in the 25th minute after an intervention by Noussair Mazraoui on Kylian Mbappé, before play was stopped to review the incident via video technology, after which the 'Roosters' were awarded a penalty.

Mbappé took the kick in the 28th minute, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou excelled and saved it, having anticipated the angle at which the French captain shot, thus preserving the draw.

After the incident, the 'Archivo VAR' account on platform 'X' published sharp criticism of the decision, confirming that the video technology erred in intervening.

The account said: 'Absolute cowardice from video technology in the France-Morocco match.'

It added: 'Mbappé fell to the ground before any contact with Mazraoui.'

It concluded: 'It was not a penalty; rather, the dive was so obvious that Mbappé deserved a yellow card for simulation.'

The French national team secured its qualification to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after defeating its Moroccan counterpart 2-0.

Read also: Handball before the goal? Is France's first goal illegal?

🖥️💥 Absolute cowardice from VAR in France - Morocco.

👉🏻 Mbappé throws himself to the ground before any contact with Mazraoui.

❌ IT IS NOT A PENALTY.

▪️ In fact, it is such a blatant dive that it should have led to a yellow card for the Frenchman. pic.twitter.com/vewSAf1Gc0

— Archivo VAR (@ArchivoVAR) July 9, 2026