The German Tobias Stieler will referee France-Israel on Thursday at the Stade de France. This Monday, UEFA announced the name of the man who will officiate during the match on the 5th day of the Nations League. Aged 43, he is a referee experienced in Bundesliga games (184 matches since 2012). In October, he was appointed for Monaco-Etoile Rouge de Belgrade in the Champions League (5-1).
He is not unknown to the vice-world champions either. He has already refereed them in this same competition against Belgium at Groupama Stadium (2-0), in Lyon, on September 9. This is also his only meeting managed at international level this season. He then warned Lucas Digne and Manu Koné. The Aston Villa left-back, who received a second warning against the same Belgians on his return, is also suspended against Israel.
Four tricolors are under threat of suspension in Italy, three days later, in the event of a new warning: Mike Maignan, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté and Eduardo Camavinga.
In a tense context due to a very tense geopolitical situation, the Blues have the opportunity to validate their qualification for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations. A draw, or even a defeat if Belgium does not beat Italy at the same time, would cancel their ticket.
Facing Israel, the 81st nation in the world, Didier Deschamps' players clearly won in the first leg in Hungary (4-1), thanks to goals from Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku, Mattéo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola.
