Olympic soccer gets off with a an explosive and chaotic start as Morocco fans crowd on the field against Argentina

Olympic soccer gets off with a an explosive and chaotic start as Morocco fans crowd on the field against Argentina

Morocco fans swarmed the pitch in protest of a goal that was scored late by Argentina during the opening game at the Paris Olympics men’s soccer tournament.

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) — The Olympic men’s soccer tournament got off to a violent and chaotic start Wednesday with Morocco’s shocking 2-1 win against two-time gold medalist Argentina.

The final result is only one just a small part, following a dramatic conclusion to the game in Saint-Etienne the game was forced to be stopped for two hours as the angry Morocco supporters rushed onto the field and hurled bottles from the stands to protest against a late goal scored by Argentina at the end of 16 minutes extra time.

The bizarre and tense scene caused confusion as to whether the game was ended or stopped. The crowd was instructed to leave the venue, however, the players remained at stadium and returned to the pitch for three minutes of extra time, in the stands that were empty.

Before the match was resumed, Cristian Medina’s disputed goal was not allowed by VAR because of offside. Morocco was able to hold on to the victory.

Argentina’s soccer federation announced that it had made official request to the FIFA, the world’s ruling body FIFA for FIFA to “take the necessary regulatory measures for such a serious event.”

“Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions,” an official spokesperson for Paris organizers told.

Morocco fans were furious after they believed that Medina’s goal was denying the team a crucial win against one of soccer’s international strongholds.

A few objects were thrown at the crowd and the Morocco fans were assaulted by security personnel on the pitch at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard after Medina appeared to make a comeback in the 2-2 draw.

There were pictures of Argentina players looking nervous as it appeared that a flare was thrown on the field. The cups and bottles were scattered across the field at the point that the game was stopped.

The initial thought was to be the case that full-time was blowing. The FIFA website even declared the match over.

Within an hour of the incident, the organizers at the venue confirmed that the match was not over and also that VAR would be evaluating whether the goal was valid.

The field was eventually returned to the players after a lengthy wait and began warming up prior to the game being able to be called off. After warm-ups, players of both teams gathered on the field in an normally empty stadium while an official watched the footage. He gave a brief overview to Argentina and the bench of Morocco celebrated.

The game continued for around three minutes following the restart prior to the whistle being blow.

Morocco had lead the game by 2-0 prior to Argentina’s comeback. Giuliano Simeone struck in the final minute, before Medina’s strike caused chaos.

The game was telecast to cafes across Morocco and the pride of the country has increased since Morocco reached the semifinals of 2022’s World Cup. In a record-breaking heatwave tea-drinking crowds yelled at TVs and watched in awe as crowds poured onto the field.

Zak Eddakir 28, a 28-year-old from Rabat was quoted as saying that the reaction of fans had something to do with the significance of soccer in Morocco and the natural displeasure in the event of a draw as well as the thought that a decision by a referee could result in the end of a game.

“In football, it’s normal,” the player declared. “When you observe something like that, it’s difficult for the fans. In this country, football is a way of life. Even the King supports it.”

The hairdresser Khadija Seffany streamed into the street to hug her family and friends after Morocco triumphed. At first, she thought that the delay in determining the goal was offside indicated that the officials were hoping for Argentina to win, as Morocco is an Arab country. Every game throughout the Olympics will be crucial she added.

“Here is where we’re among the best teams in the world. We drink football. We eat football.” Seffany said

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