Chaos and Controversy Mar First Football Match of Paris 2024 Olympics
The opening match of the men’s Olympic football tournament at Paris 2024 was marred by chaos and controversy as Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Morocco. The chaotic ending to the game left Argentina coach Javier Mascherano fuming, describing it as a “disgrace” and “a circus.”
The trouble began when bottles were thrown onto the pitch and some supporters wearing Morocco colors invaded the field. The referee was forced to suspend the match for nearly two hours due to crowd trouble. Eventually, the game resumed in an empty stadium.
In a dramatic turn of events, Argentina appeared to score an equalizer 16 minutes into second-half injury time. However, the goal was disallowed after intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled it offside. This decision further fueled the frustration of both teams and their supporters.
Mascherano, who won gold with Argentina in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, expressed his disbelief at the situation. He stated, “I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that. It is a circus.”
The chaotic ending to the match has raised concerns about the organization and security measures in place for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Mascherano criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “It is a disgrace that this should happen and poison the tournament. This wouldn’t even happen in a neighborhood tournament. It’s pathetic.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) website initially indicated that the match had ended, adding to the confusion surrounding the outcome. However, after consultations between team captains and tournament organizers, it was decided to resume the match.
The tournament organizers released a statement acknowledging the pitch invasion and assuring that they are working with relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and take appropriate actions.
Despite the chaotic start to their Olympic campaign, Argentina is determined to regroup and focus on their upcoming matches. Mascherano urged his players to look forward, stating, “We need to try to get the six points that will allow us to qualify, and all this should fill us with energy and anger for what we have ahead of us.”
Argentina will play their second match against Iraq in Lyon on Saturday, while Morocco will face Ukraine in Saint-Etienne on the same day. The teams will be hoping for a smoother and more orderly experience in their next fixtures as they strive for success in the Paris 2024 Olympics.