The top of Argentina’s soccer federation mentioned the chaotic ending to its Olympic soccer match in opposition to Morocco on Wednesday “is not sensible,” and coach Javier Mascherano referred to as the scene “a scandal.”
The opening match of the boys’s soccer event was suspended for almost two hours throughout added time after Morocco followers invaded the sector and threw bottles in protest of a late purpose by Argentina. The purpose was later overturned by the video assistant referee, and Argentina misplaced 2-1.
“What occurred on the sector was a scandal. This isn’t a neighborhood event, these are the Olympic Video games,” Mascherano mentioned.
Paris organizers mentioned they had been making an attempt to “perceive the causes and determine acceptable actions” after the match in Saint-Etienne. Argentina’s soccer federation mentioned it 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 virtually two hours within the dressing room, after Morocco followers getting 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 admittedly one thing that is not sensible and that goes in opposition to the competitors guidelines,” Argentina Soccer Affiliation president Claudio Tapia mentioned.
The Argentina crew additionally mentioned its coaching base was robbed earlier than the sport, with a watch belonging to midfielder Thiago Almada among the many gadgets taken.
In the meantime, Argentine President Javier Milei arrived Thursday in Paris, his workplace mentioned, and is predicted to fulfill French President Emmanuel Macron after tensions escalated between their nations over the Argentine soccer crew’s derogatory post-match chants about French gamers at Copa America.
Morocco followers rushed the sector to protest Cristian Medina’s purpose within the sixteenth minute of added time at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, which appeared to tie the sport at 2. Bottles additionally had been thrown from the group and, in frenzied scenes, safety tackled followers on the sector.
“A few of the followers thought it was the tip of the match and determined to invade the pitch,” Thomas Collomb, the deputy director of safety for Paris organizers, mentioned Thursday. “The ambiance was festive. At no time was there any safety threat for gamers or spectators. Inside minutes of the ultimate whistle, a safety bubble shaped across the athletes.”
There have been photographs of Argentina gamers flinching when what seemed to be a flare was thrown onto the sector.
“I can perceive why this might need been worrying for Argentine athletes,” mentioned Bruno Le Ray, the organizing committee’s safety director. “Stade Geoffroy-Guichard is understood for having no boundaries between the stands and the pitch. To our data, no firecrackers had been fired at any time. It’s undoubtedly an incident, however not within the safety sense.”
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi wrote on X: “I deplore the perspective of sure supporters through the match, which tarnished the picture of our loyal followers. Such habits has no place in soccer.”
Within the confusion, it was believed the ultimate whistle had been blown when gamers headed to the locker room and followers had been instructed to depart the stadium. FIFA’s official web site declared the ultimate rating 2-2.
But it surely later emerged that the sport had been suspended with simply minutes of play remaining and that Medina’s purpose was being reviewed.
The gamers re-emerged to heat up in an empty stadium after about two hours and referee Glenn Nyberg confirmed he was reviewing video of the purpose on the touchline monitor. He then confirmed it might be overturned for offside.
Morocco held on for the win because the groups performed out the ultimate three minutes.
“The sport was suspended due to safety. At no second did they speak to us about any revision (of the play),” Mascherano mentioned.
“Clearly it is complicated, however we’ve to maneuver ahead. It’s already occurred, it’s over. We’ve to concentrate on 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 pretournament favorites and was aiming for extra {hardware} after profitable the World Cup in 2022 and back-to-back Copa Americas.
On Saturday, Morocco is scheduled to face Ukraine at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
“We’ll make sure that we reinforce safety by including boundaries or non-public safety,” Le Ray mentioned.
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Tom Nouvian in Paris contributed to this report.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP Summer time Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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