Argentina's claim after the controversy in the match with Morocco at the Olympic Games is already known

On July 24, 2024, the U-23 Argentina national team played their first match at the Paris Summer Olympics against Morocco's U-23 team. The Argentina team suffered a 2-1 loss against Morocco in a controversial way, as the match was suspended for nearly two hours and needed three more minutes. Argentina was 2-0 down in the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint Etienne, France. Argentina scored one back as Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute. The referee added 15 minutes of added time, and in the 16th minute of added time, Cristian Medina scored to make it 2-2.

Morocco fans invaded the pitch, and the match was suspended. The match was stopped, and the game needed to be played in an empty stadium. The goal was then disallowed by the referee, and the game ended in the final three minutes with no goal. Therefore, Morocco won the game 2-1.

The Argentina Football Federation is furious about the situation that their players faced in France and demands FIFA award them the victory because the match was suspended for nearly two hours. The match was suspended due to a pitch invasion and aggression towards Argentina players. The hour-long wait to resume the game is also another reason why they believe they should be awarded the win.

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Chiqui Tapia, the president of the Argentina Football Association [AFA], submitted a formal complaint to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee. Tapia wrote, "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 main referee after the field invasion by Moroccan spectators and the violence suffered by the Argentine delegation, is truly senseless and goes against the competition rules."

His message continued as he wrote, "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."

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Nicolas Otamendi's words after the match

The captain of the U-23 Argentina team, Nicolas Otamendi, wrote a message to the fans of Argentina for their support after the controversial match against Morocco in the Paris Games. Otamendi wrote, "Thank you all for the support and messages. We come to compete as we always did, wherever the place is, as a local or visitor. But what happened today makes you angry and helpless. That this type of event happens in an event as important as the Olympic Games where an Olympic medal is in dispute. For our part, it is time to look forward and think about Saturday."

Javier Mascherano, the coach of the U23 Argentina team, spoke as well and said, "I don’t know what happened. We were in the locker room for almost an hour and a half. At no point were we informed about what could happen. As a player, I’ve never experienced security failing seven times in a match at this level. It was a disgrace."