Chaos at the 2024 Olympics: Morocco defeats Argentina amidst pitch invasion
Paris, France – Argentina’s match against Morocco became one of the first sporting events in the ongoing 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France. Despite the official opening set for Friday, July 26, 2023, the men’s football match between Africa’s top soccer team and America’s champions was marred by chaos due to a pitch invasion.
The match was suspended for over an hour, eventually resuming behind closed doors. Morocco emerged victorious with a 2-1 win after Argentina’s equalizer was ruled out by VAR. Cristian Medina’s goal for Argentina, 16 minutes into stoppage time to level the score at 2-2, sparked wild scenes at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, with spectators throwing objects, such as water bottles, at the South American players.
Argentina faced boos from sections of the crowd in response to footage showing their players chanting a song deemed “racist and discriminatory” by the French Football Federation after their Copa America victory earlier this month.
Both sets of players were taken off the pitch by the referee, with the Paris 2024’s official website stating the contest was “interrupted.” The final three minutes of the game were completed behind closed doors, with Medina’s 106th-minute strike disallowed for offside in the build-up.
This incident casts a shadow over the tournament’s start and raises questions about the organizers’ ability to run a smooth and safe Games, particularly given France’s ongoing issues with racism and discrimination.
Argentina, the 2004 and 2008 gold medal winners, struggled against Morocco despite featuring Copa America winners like Julián Álvarez, Nicolás Otamendi, and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli. Soufiane Rahimi put the Atlas Lions ahead with a superb passing move in the final seconds of the first half and scored again from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.
Giuliano Simeone pulled one back for Javier Mascherano’s side in the 68th minute, hitting the frame of the goal twice before midfielder Medina secured what he thought was a last-gasp equalizer in this Group A encounter.
This controversial start to the tournament raises significant concerns about the handling of security and the conduct of spectators, as well as the broader issue of racism in sport.
