Paris 2024 Olympics – Soccer – Males’s Group B – Argentina vs Morocco – Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne, France – July 24, 2024. Pitch invaders are seen on the pitch on the finish of the match earlier than is suspended. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
The pinnacle of Argentina’s soccer federation stated the chaotic ending to its Olympic soccer match in opposition to Morocco on Wednesday “is senseless,” and Argentina’s coach referred to as the scene “a scandal.”
The opening match of the boys’s soccer match was suspended for almost two hours throughout added time after Morocco followers invaded the sphere and threw bottles in protest of a late objective by Argentina. The objective was later overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), and Argentina misplaced 2-1.
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“What occurred on the sphere was a scandal. This is not a neighborhood match, these are the Olympic Video games,” Argentina coach Javier Mascherano stated.
Paris organizers stated they have been making an attempt to “perceive the causes and establish applicable actions” after the match in Saint-Etienne. Argentina’s soccer federation stated it had issued a proper protest Wednesday to world governing physique FIFA and would do “what is critical” to ensure the security of gamers.
“Having to attend nearly two hours within the dressing room, after Morocco followers coming into the pitch, the violence that the Argentina delegation suffered, our gamers having to heat up once more and proceed to play a match that ought to have been suspended by the primary referee, is actually one thing that is senseless and that goes in opposition to the competitors guidelines,” Argentina Soccer Affiliation president Claudio Tapia stated.
The Argentina group additionally stated its coaching base was robbed earlier than the sport, with midfielder Thiago Almada’s watch among the many gadgets taken.
In the meantime, Argentine President Javier Milei arrived Thursday in Paris, his workplace stated, the place he’s anticipated to fulfill French President Emmanuel Macron after tensions escalated between their international locations over the Argentine soccer group’s derogatory post-match chants about French gamers at Copa America.
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Morocco followers rushed the sphere to protest Cristian Medina’s objective within the sixteenth minute of added time at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, which appeared to tie the sport 2-2. Bottles have been additionally thrown from the gang and, in frenzied scenes, safety tackled pitch invaders.
There have been photographs of Argentina gamers flinching when what seemed to be a flare was thrown onto the sphere.
“I deplore the perspective of sure supporters through the match, which tarnished the picture of our loyal followers. Such conduct has no place in soccer,” Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi wrote on X.
Within the confusion, it was believed the ultimate whistle had been blown when gamers headed to the locker room and followers have been advised to go away the stadium. FIFA’s official web site declared the ultimate rating 2-2.
However it later emerged the sport had been suspended with simply minutes of play remaining and that Medina’s objective was being reviewed.
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The gamers re-emerged to heat up in an empty stadium after round two hours and referee Glenn Nyberg confirmed he was reviewing video of the objective on the touchline monitor. He then confirmed it might be overturned for offside.
Morocco held on for the win as they performed out the ultimate three minutes.
“The sport was suspended due to safety. At no second did they discuss to us about any revision (of the play),” Mascherano stated.
“Clearly it is complicated, however we’ve to maneuver ahead. It is already occurred, it is over. We’ve got to deal with the 2 video games (remaining). Save up the anger and let all of it out within the coming video games.”
Two-time gold medalist Argentina was one of many pre-tournament favorites and was aiming for extra glory after successful the World Cup in 2022 and back-to-back Copa Americas.
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Paris 2024 Olympics – Soccer – Males’s Group B – Argentina vs Morocco – Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne, France – July 24, 2024. Pitch invaders are seen on the pitch on the finish of the match earlier than is suspended. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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