France captain Kylian Mbappe lived up to his light-hearted ‘dictator’ reputation after he ordered English referee Michael Oliver to pass on his captain’s armband in the second-half of his side’s win over Norway.
Mbappe was in fine form as France thrashed Norway 4-1 in their final group match of the tournament to maintain their 100 per cent record and set up a clash with Sweden in the last-32.
Though he didn’t add to his four goals so far this tournament, he set up two in a rout, before leaving the pitch in the second period.
But one particular moment caught the eye, with the forward ordering Oliver to hand over his captain’s armband as he was told the leave the field.
Under new rules, players have 10 seconds to exit when substituted, or the player coming on will have to wait one full minute until they can enter.
Mbappe, though, instead of dashing off when replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 87th minute, walked towards Oliver with his armband in hand.
He eventually gave it to the referee, and gestured to Aurelien Tchouameni, as if to tell Oliver to pass it on to the midfielder.
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Kylian Mbappe (right) ordered Michael Oliver (left) to hand over his captain’s armband during France’s win over Norway
Mbappe then slowly made his way off the field, with the Crystal Palace forward entering immediately.
The French captain’s single-minded approach and hunger to win has seen fans on social media jokingly describe him as a ‘dictator’. Against Iraq, Mbappe was spotted telling ground staff where to clear the waterlogged pitch following a weather delay, while he was also seen overseeing his team-mates’ training last week.
His latest act involving with Oliver has strengthened that reputation, with one fan writing on social media: ‘Mbappe sending the referee to hand over the captain’s armband… nah he’s never beating the dictator allegations.’
Another wrote: ‘Dictator’. Because now Kylian Mbappe even gives orders to the referees.’
Oliver, meanwhile, is one of the top referees in the Premier League and was taking charge of his second game at the tournament. His first was the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden, and he also had to withdraw from another.
The 41-year-old is one of two England-based referees that have been chosen to take charge of games in North America, with Anthony Taylor also a selected official.
Australian Jarred Gillet, who moved to England to work in the Premier League in 2019, is also working as a specialist VAR official.
Oliver had been set to take charge of the Group E match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast last week, with Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring assisting him.
FIFA, though, have confirmed that changed, saying that Oliver had been replaced ‘due to a minor injury’.
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