The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has formally complained to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee following a chaotic incident during their 2-1 loss to Morocco in the opening match of the Olympics on Wednesday. The game, held in Saint-Étienne, was marred by a pitch invasion from Moroccan fans after Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored deep in stoppage time, triggering a two-hour delay. The match was eventually completed in an empty stadium.
During Argentina’s goal celebration, Moroccan fans threw bottles, cups, and firecrackers at the Argentinian players. In response, the AFA issued a statement demanding that FIFA take the “necessary regulatory measures for an event of such seriousness.” The statement highlighted the importance of guaranteeing the safety of all participants for the peaceful development of football.
After the prolonged delay, the referee controversially ruled Medina’s equaliser offside following a review. Argentina coach Javier Mascherano described the events as “the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.” Argentina’s senior captain Lionel Messi, who is not part of the Olympic squad, reacted on Instagram with a face with wide-open eyes emoji and the word “Unusual.”
AFA president Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia has called for the punishment of those responsible for the incidents. Tapia expressed his dismay on social media, stating that the match should have been suspended following the pitch invasion and violence against the Argentine delegation. He also criticised the decision to resume the match after nearly two hours and noted that the opinions of both teams’ captains, who believed the game should not continue, were ignored.
His post read, “It was regrettable what we had to experience today as Argentinians in Saint-Étienne. Waiting almost two hours in the locker room, only for our players to have to go back out to warm up and continue playing a match that should have been suspended by the referee after the pitch invasion by Moroccan spectators and the violence suffered by the Argentine delegation, is truly senseless and goes against the competition rules.
“Furthermore, the opinions of the captains of both teams, who believed the game should not have resumed, were not heard. From the Argentine Football Association, we have already submitted the complaint to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee so that the relevant regulatory measures can be taken and a sanction imposed on those responsible.”
The AFA has already submitted their complaint to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, seeking appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions. Argentina is set to play their next Group G game against Iraq on Saturday.
Melissa Enoch
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