The French Football Federation (FFF) did not hold an official tribute to Didier Deschamps during the match against Italy on October 2, which marked Zinédine Zidane's debut as coach of the French national team at the Stade de France. This decision has drawn some attention, though it seems to have been made intentionally to avoid any potential tension between Deschamps' farewell and Zidane's return to the stadium. Deschamps, who had previously coached the team to victory in the 2018 World Cup, was stepping down after this match, and the absence of a tribute was notable given his long-standing role in French football. Pierre Ménès, a well-known French sports commentator who recently received a two-month prison sentence with probation for sexual assault, discussed the decision on his YouTube channel. He suggested that the FFF's choice, if there had been any prior discussion, was reasonable. Ménès argued that the federation likely wanted to prevent a scenario in which Deschamps might have been booed by fans, which could have been an awkward situation for everyone involved. Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, stated that a tribute to Deschamps will eventually take place, though not immediately. The next home match for the French team is scheduled for November 15 against Turkey in Bordeaux. However, Ménès indicated that a tribute is unlikely to happen in Bordeaux. He questioned whether Deschamps himself had been particularly keen on having a tribute, but he remained unsure about the former coach's personal preferences on the matter. The decision highlights the delicate balance the FFF must maintain between honoring past figures and welcoming new leadership. While some may view the absence of a tribute as a slight, others understand the need to avoid controversy during a significant transition in the team's coaching history. Whether or not a tribute occurs in the future, it will likely be a moment of reflection for French football fans.