The legal standoff between Didier Deschamps and Daniel Riolo is not over. Released at first instance last January, the RMC journalist will be tried on appeal for defamation on January 13 at 1:30 p.m., the Paris Court of Appeal announced to the
Parisian. Information confirmed by the columnist’s lawyer.
The case dates back to comments made by Daniel Riolo between January and March 2023 in the show L’After Foot on RMC. The 56-year-old journalist openly described Didier Deschamps as ” liar “. He accused him of having concealed the truth and of having personally orchestrated the departure of Karim Benzema just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the striker could, according to the journalist, have played again in the final stages.
Daniel Riolo had also affirmed that the name of Deschamps appeared directly or indirectly in “all the shady affairs of French football”referring to the VA-OM corruption affair (1993) or suspicions of doping at Juventus Turin in the 1990s. Believing that his honor and honesty were being violated, the 98 world champion filed a complaint for defamation.
Deschamps on Riolo: “He attacks the man that I am”
The trial at first instance was held in November 2025 at the Paris Criminal Court. “I had no choice, it is impossible for me to let these comments pass, which undermine my honor. He’s attacking the man I am.”explained the former ASM and OM coach at the helm.
On January 30, 2026, the court finally acquitted Daniel Riolo. Refusing to stop there, Didier Deschamps immediately appealed this decision. Justice has therefore set the hearing of this appeal trial for January 13, 2027 before the Paris Court of Appeal.
