Argentina vs Morocco: Olympic soccer will get off to violent begin, followers rush the sphere

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) — The Olympic males’s soccer event received off to a violent and chaotic begin Wednesday with Morocco’s stunning 2-1 win in opposition to two-time gold medalist Argentina.

The consequence tells solely a part of the story after a dramatic finish to the match in Saint-Etienne, which needed to be suspended for practically two hours when livid Morocco followers ran on to the pitch and threw bottles from the stands to protest a late aim by Argentina within the sixteenth minute of added time.

The indignant and weird scene sparked confusion over whether or not the sport had been concluded or paused. The gang was informed to go away the stadium, however gamers remained on the venue and returned to the pitch for a closing three minutes of added time in entrance of empty stands.

Moments earlier than play resumed, Cristian Medina’s disputed aim was disallowed by VAR for offside, and Morocco held on for the victory.

Argentina’s soccer federation mentioned it had issued a a proper declare to world governing physique FIFA to “take the required regulatory measures for such a critical occasion.”

“Paris 2024 is working with the related stakeholders to know the causes and establish acceptable actions,” a spokesperson for Paris organizers mentioned.

Morocco followers reacted furiously after they thought Medina’s aim had denied the staff a crucial win in opposition to certainly one of worldwide soccer’s powerhouses.

Objects have been thrown and invading Morocco followers have been tackled by safety on the sphere at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard after Medina appeared to tie the sport 2-2.

There have been photos of some Argentina gamers flinching when what gave the impression to be a flare was thrown onto the sphere. Bottles and cups have been strewn over the pitch by the point the sport was paused.

It was initially thought that the full-time whistle had been blown. Even FIFA’s web site declared the sport over.

About an hour after the incident, organizers on the venue confirmed the match was not formally over and that VAR would assessment whether or not the aim would stand.

Gamers finally re-entered the sphere after a protracted delay and commenced to heat up earlier than the sport might be concluded. After warmups, gamers from each groups stood on the sphere within the in any other case empty stadium whereas an official reviewed the video. He provided a short rationalization to Argentina whereas gamers on Morocco’s bench celebrated.

Play went on for about three minutes after the resumption earlier than the ultimate whistle was blown.

Morocco had led the sport 2-0 earlier than Argentina’s combat again. Giuliano Simeone scored within the 68th minute earlier than Medina’s effort sparked chaotic scenes.

The sport was broadcast in cafes all through Morocco, the place nationwide pleasure has swelled for the reason that nation superior to the semifinal within the 2022 World Cup. Throughout a record-breaking warmth wave, tea-drinking males screamed at televisions and watched in shock as followers stormed the sphere.

Zak Eddakir, a 28 year-old from Rabat, mentioned the followers’ response needed to do with soccer’s significance in Morocco and a pure disappointment at a draw and the concept that a referee’s name may finish a recreation.

“In soccer, it’s regular,” he mentioned. “Once you see one thing like that, it’s actually laborious for supporters. Right here, soccer is life. Even the king helps it.”

Hairdresser Khadija Seffany streamed into the road to embrace her pals and neighbors after Morocco received. She initially thought the delay in calling the aim offside recommended the referees wished Argentina to win as a result of Morocco is an Arab nation. Each match all through the Olympics will likely be essential, she mentioned.

“Right here, we’re top-of-the-line on this planet. We drink soccer. We eat soccer,” Seffany mentioned.

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AP author Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, contributed to this report.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games