‘It doesn’t change anything’ – Didier Deschamps reacts to FIFA turning down France’s request to wear black armbands

‘It doesn’t change anything’ – Didier Deschamps reacts to FIFA turning down France’s request to wear black armbands France manager Didier Deschamps has made his return to the United States of America after attending to his mother’s funeral back on Friday . Deschamps was allowed to leave  Les Bleus ‘ FIFA World Cup base camp in Boston last week to get closer to his loved ones after the passing of his mother. “ It is obviously very difficult and, for my own well-being and that of the French team, I had to leave”, Deschamps said in his pre-match press conference, with France facing Sweden on Tuesday. In his absence, his trusted right-hand man oversaw France’s convincing group stage game win against Norway. The FFF – Fédération Française de Football – put in a request to FIFA to allow France players and staff members to wear black armbands, as a way of honouring Deschamps’ late mother. But FIFA declined their request. On the eve of France’s last-32 tie against Sweden, Deschamps was quizzed on the matter. “ I don’t know what to say.  That doesn’t change anything, and I don’t know whether it would have been possible or not.” Deschamps added that he already received plenty of emotional support from his players and his coaching staff. GFFN | Bastien Cheval