Scandal at the 2024 Olympics: Argentina lost to Morocco after an incident
26 july 2024 в 03:37
Argentina’s time at the 2024 Olympics did not start off well, suffering a defeat in their first game in a very controversial manner against Morocco on Wednesday.
The head of the Argentine Football Federation said that the chaotic end to the match «made no sense», - and Argentina’s coach called it a «scandal».
«What happened on the field was a scandal. This is not a neighborhood tournament, this is the Olympic Games», - said Argentina’s coach Javier Mascherano.
The opening match of the men’s football tournament was suspended for almost two hours in extra time after Moroccan fans invaded the field and threw bottles in protest against Argentina’s late goal. The goal was later canceled after the assistant referee reviewed the video, causing much confusion and outrage. It was officially determined that Christian Medina, the scorer for Argentina, was offside, and Argentina lost 2−1.
«Today they invaded the field seven times, and then threw fireworks at us. They told us the game ended 2−2. Even Morocco didn’t want to play», - Mascherano continued, referring to the controversial end of the game.
Paris organizers stated that they are trying to «understand the reasons and determine appropriate actions» after the match in Saint-Étienne. The Argentine Football Federation stated that they filed an official complaint with the FIFA global football organization on Wednesday and will do «everything necessary» to ensure the safety of the players.
«We had to wait almost two hours in the locker room, after Moroccan fans invaded the field, the violence that the Argentine delegation experienced, our players had to warm up again and continue the game, which the main referee should have suspended, this is really something that makes no sense and contradicts the competition rules», - said the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia.
«This is the biggest circus I have ever seen in my life», - Mascherano said.
«Obviously, it’s confusing, but we need to move forward. It’s already happened, it’s over. We need to focus on the two remaining games. Keep the anger and come out strong in the next games».
The match was one of two opening events at the Games. The Olympic opening ceremony will take place on Friday.
Mascherano also recently told journalists that thieves broke into the Argentina team’s training ground and stole various items from the players, including Thiago Almada’s belongings.
«Yesterday they broke into our training session and robbed us. Thiago Almada lost his watch, rings, and everything at the Olympic training. We didn’t want to say anything after the training», - Mascherano said, according to ESPN FC.
Mascherano did not provide additional information about the alleged theft
The head of the Argentine Football Federation said that the chaotic end to the match «made no sense», - and Argentina’s coach called it a «scandal».
«What happened on the field was a scandal. This is not a neighborhood tournament, this is the Olympic Games», - said Argentina’s coach Javier Mascherano.
The opening match of the men’s football tournament was suspended for almost two hours in extra time after Moroccan fans invaded the field and threw bottles in protest against Argentina’s late goal. The goal was later canceled after the assistant referee reviewed the video, causing much confusion and outrage. It was officially determined that Christian Medina, the scorer for Argentina, was offside, and Argentina lost 2−1.
«Today they invaded the field seven times, and then threw fireworks at us. They told us the game ended 2−2. Even Morocco didn’t want to play», - Mascherano continued, referring to the controversial end of the game.
Paris organizers stated that they are trying to «understand the reasons and determine appropriate actions» after the match in Saint-Étienne. The Argentine Football Federation stated that they filed an official complaint with the FIFA global football organization on Wednesday and will do «everything necessary» to ensure the safety of the players.
«We had to wait almost two hours in the locker room, after Moroccan fans invaded the field, the violence that the Argentine delegation experienced, our players had to warm up again and continue the game, which the main referee should have suspended, this is really something that makes no sense and contradicts the competition rules», - said the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia.
«This is the biggest circus I have ever seen in my life», - Mascherano said.
«Obviously, it’s confusing, but we need to move forward. It’s already happened, it’s over. We need to focus on the two remaining games. Keep the anger and come out strong in the next games».
The match was one of two opening events at the Games. The Olympic opening ceremony will take place on Friday.
Mascherano also recently told journalists that thieves broke into the Argentina team’s training ground and stole various items from the players, including Thiago Almada’s belongings.
«Yesterday they broke into our training session and robbed us. Thiago Almada lost his watch, rings, and everything at the Olympic training. We didn’t want to say anything after the training», - Mascherano said, according to ESPN FC.
Mascherano did not provide additional information about the alleged theft
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
