{"id":247745,"date":"2024-07-25T19:35:24","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T19:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/25\/argentina-coach-slams-chaotic-circus-at-olympic-match-vs-morocco-hollywood-life\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:13:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:13:56","slug":"argentina-coach-slams-chaotic-circus-at-olympic-match-vs-morocco-hollywood-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/25\/argentina-coach-slams-chaotic-circus-at-olympic-match-vs-morocco-hollywood-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina Coach Slams Chaotic \u2018Circus\u2019 at Olympic Match vs. Morocco \u2013 Hollywood Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s time at the 2024 Olympics has not gotten off to a strong start, having dropped their first game in a highly controversial fashion against Morocco on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The head of Argentina\u2019s soccer federation said the chaotic ending to its match \u201c[made] no sense,\u201d and Argentina\u2019s coach called the scene \u201ca scandal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened on the field was a scandal. This isn\u2019t a neighborhood tournament, these are the Olympic Games,\u201d Argentina coach Javier Mascherano<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n

The opening match of the men\u2019s soccer tournament was suspended for nearly two hours during added time after Morocco fans invaded the field and threw bottles in protest of a late goal by Argentina. The goal was later overturned after reviewing the play by the video assistant referee, resulting in much confusion and outrage. Officials determined that Cristian Medina<\/strong>, the Argentine goalscorer, had strayed offside, and Argentina lost 2-1.<\/p>\n

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One of the strangest endings you will EVER see. \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n

Over an hour after Cristian Medina’s late equalizer for Argentina against Morocco, the referee announced Medina’s goal was disallowed for offside. After playing out the final minutes of the match, Morocco won 2-1. #ParisOlympics<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PaIhszKyBi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cToday they invaded the field seven times and then threw fireworks at us. They told us it ended 2\u20132. Even Morocco didn\u2019t want to play,\u201d Mascherano continued, speaking on the game\u2019s controversial finish.<\/p>\n

Paris organizers said they were trying to \u201cunderstand the causes and identify appropriate actions\u201d after the match in Saint-Etienne. Argentina\u2019s soccer federation said it had issued a formal protest Wednesday to the world governing body FIFA and would do \u201cwhat is necessary\u201d to guarantee the safety of players.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving to wait almost two hours in the dressing room, after Morocco fans entering the pitch, the violence that the Argentina delegation suffered, our players having to warm up again and continue to play a match that should have been suspended by the main referee, is really something that makes no sense and that goes against the competition rules,\u201d Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the biggest circus I\u2019ve ever seen in my life,\u201d Mascherano said.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously it\u2019s confusing, but we have to move forward. It\u2019s already happened, it\u2019s over. We have to focus on the two games (remaining). Save up the anger and let it all out in the coming games.\u201d<\/p>\n

The match was one of two opening events at the Games. The Olympic opening ceremony will be held on Friday.<\/p>\n

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Javier Mascherano said the Argentina team was robbed while at training on Tuesday at the Olympics. pic.twitter.com\/QT1x2AFMdK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mascherano also told reporters recently that thieves entered the grounds during Argentina\u2019s training session and made away with various items from players on the team, specifically the belongings of Thiago Almada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday they entered our training and robbed us. Thiago Almada was missing a watch, rings, and everything at training at the Olympics. We didn\u2019t want to say anything after training,\u201d said Mascherano, via ESPN FC.<\/p>\n

Mascherano didn\u2019t provide further detail on the alleged robbery.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n