July 25, (THEWILL) – Paris Olympics organisers have launched an investigation into the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the Argentina-Morocco football match on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred on the opening day of sporting events at the 2024 Games, has raised serious concerns about crowd control and safety measures.
The match, held in Saint-Etienne, saw Morocco claim a 2-1 victory over the two-time gold medallists Argentina. However, the game’s conclusion was overshadowed by unprecedented events. After Argentina believed they had equalised in the 16th minute of injury time, spectators invaded the pitch, launching projectiles and even a firecracker towards the Argentine bench. This led to the players being escorted off the field for nearly two hours.
The teams later returned to an empty stadium to play out the final three minutes. A VAR review then disallowed Argentina’s equaliser for offside, confirming Morocco’s win. The Argentine Football Association has since filed a formal complaint with FIFA’s disciplinary committee, calling for urgent action to ensure the security of all participants.
Paris 2024 organisers released a statement acknowledging the disruption caused by “a small number of spectators” and confirmed they are working with relevant stakeholders to identify appropriate actions. Meanwhile, Argentina’s coach, Javier Mascherano, described the incident as “a scandal”, highlighting the barrage of objects thrown at his team.
The controversy has extended beyond the pitch, with reports emerging of valuables being stolen from the Argentine dressing room during a training session. Both incidents serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing event organisers in maintaining security and sportsmanship at high-profile international competitions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
