Argentina file complaint after controversial Olympic football opener

Argentina have filed a complaint with FIFA over the controversy in Wednesday’s Olympic football opener against Morocco.

The Copa America winners lost 2-1 to Morocco in a match that was marred by crowd trouble, with a late equaliser ruled out by VAR after play had been suspended for two hours.

In the celebrations of what they thought was Cristian Medina’s equaliser in the 16th minute of added time, fans spilled onto the pitch and players were targeted with explosives thrown onto the field.

The final three minutes of the game was then played more than four hours after the original kick-off time in an empty stadium in St Etienne.

The Argentine FA (AFA) demanded FIFA take the “necessary regulatory measures be taken for an event of such seriousness.”

A statement added: “It is imperative to guarantee the safety of the protagonists for the peaceful development of this beautiful sport that is football and from the home of Argentine Football, we will do what is necessary to make this happen.”

Argentina boss Javier Mascherano described the game as “the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.”

🤯 INCROYABLE SÉQUENCE : l’arbitre d’Argentine-Maroc annule le deuxième but argentin… deux heures après la suspension de la rencontre !

Les joueurs sont revenus sur le terrain pour disputer les trois dernières minutes et le Maroc s’est finalement imposé 2-1 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/1XswW8uXin

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 24, 2024

He later added in his post-match press conference: “I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that,” said Mascherano, who won gold with Argentina in 2004 and 2008.

“It is a circus. But that is how it is. We cannot control it. I told the boys that now we need to look forward, try to get the six points that will allow us to qualify and that all this should fill us with energy and anger for what we have ahead of us.

“It is a disgrace that this should happen and poison the tournament. This wouldn’t even happen in a neighbourhood tournament. It’s pathetic.

“Beyond the Olympic spirit, the organisation needs to be up to standard and at the moment, unfortunately, it is not.”

A statement from the tournament organisers said: “The football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium was suspended due to a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators.

“The match then restarted and was able to conclude safely. Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions.”

Argentina play Iraq in their second game on Saturday, with Morocco up against Ukraine.