The head of Argentina’s soccer federation has strongly condemned the disorganized ending of their Olympic soccer match against Morocco, describing it as a nonsensical scandal. This sentiment was echoed by Argentina’s coach, who labeled the incident as disgraceful for the Olympic Games.
During the men’s soccer tournament’s opening match, a nearly two-hour suspension occurred during added time after Moroccan fans stormed the field and threw bottles in protest of a late goal by Argentina. The goal, which would have equalized the score to 2-2, was overturned following a VAR review, resulting in a 2-1 defeat for Argentina.
“This was not a local tournament; these are the Olympic Games,” said Argentina coach Javier Mascherano.
Paris organizers have stated they are investigating the incident to understand its causes and determine the necessary actions. The match, held at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, led Argentina’s soccer federation to file a formal protest with FIFA, stressing the need to ensure player safety.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentina Football Association, criticized the situation, highlighting the nearly two-hour wait, interruptions by Moroccan fans, violence towards the Argentine delegation, and the illogical decision to continue the match instead of halting it.
Moroccan supporters had rushed onto the field to protest Cristian Medina’s goal in the 16th minute of added time, which initially appeared to equalize the score. Amid the chaos, bottles were thrown, and security intervened as Argentina players reacted to what seemed to be a flare landing on the pitch.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi condemned the disruptive behavior of some supporters, which he said tarnished the reputation of their loyal fans.
Initially, reports suggested the match ended in a 2-2 draw, with players heading to the locker rooms and fans instructed to leave. However, it later became clear that the game was suspended due to security concerns and that Medina’s goal was under review. After about two hours, players returned to an empty stadium to warm up, and referee Glenn Nyberg, after reviewing the goal on the touchline monitor, ruled it out for offside.
Morocco held their lead and secured the win in the final minutes.
Mascherano expressed frustration over the handling of the situation, noting that there had been no discussion about reviewing the play. Despite the bewildering events, he emphasized the need to focus on upcoming matches and channel their frustration positively.
Argentina, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and recent World Cup and Copa America champion, had high hopes for the tournament but faced a setback in their opening match.
