Trial date confirmed

The Paris Court of Appeal has set the date for the appeal trial between Didier Deschamps and Daniel Riolo. The trial will occur on January 13, 2027, at 1:30 p.m., as confirmed by Riolo’s lawyer and reported by Le Parisien.

Background of the dispute

The legal conflict began with statements Daniel Riolo made on RMC’s L'After Foot program between January and March 2023. During these appearances, Riolo called Deschamps a "liar" and claimed he had hidden the truth about Karim Benzema’s exclusion from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Allegations and claims

Riolo also suggested that Deschamps was linked to several controversies in French football. These included the VA-OM corruption case from 1993 and doping allegations at Juventus Turin in the 1990s. Deschamps responded by filing a defamation lawsuit, arguing that his honor and integrity were harmed by these claims.

First instance trial outcome

The initial trial took place in November 2025 at the Paris Correctional Court. Deschamps testified that he felt compelled to pursue the case, stating that he could not let damaging claims about his character go unanswered. He described Riolo’s attacks as targeting "the man I am."

Appeal and upcoming trial

On January 30, 2026, the court found Daniel Riolo not guilty. Deschamps immediately appealed the verdict, leading to the scheduled appeal trial before the Paris Court of Appeal on January 13, 2027.