KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- Argentina have appealed, optimistically, to FIFA to be awarded all three points after the chaotic events surrounding their 2-1 defeat by Morocco in the Olympic Games men’s football tournament on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne.
Argentina thought they had equalised at 2-2 deep into second half stoppage time. Their players’ celebrations prompted a hail of cups and bottles from Morocco fans, several of whom also invaded the pitch.
The match was suspended for two hours before, on its restart on an empty stadium, referee Nyberg, on VAR advice, disallowed the ‘equaliser’ for offside after consulting the pitchside video screen.
Argentinian federation president Claudio Tapia, within the regulation two hours, registered an appeal with world governing body FIFA which runs the football tournament on befalf of the International Olympic Committee.
An AFA statement said: “The Argentina Football Association states that, due to the publicly known events that occurred in the match between our U23 team and their Moroccan counterparts, a formal complaint has been submitted to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee to take the necessary regulatory measures for such a serious incident.
“It is imperative to guarantee the safety of the participants for the peaceful development of this beautiful sport, football, and as far as the AFA is concerned, we will do what is necessary to ensure this happens.”
The AFA was supported in its complaint by Argentina’s national Olympic committee.
Its own statement said: “Given the unfortunate events that occurred during and after the football match between Argentina and Morocco, the Argentinian Olympic Committee stands in solidarity with our athletes and supports the presentation made by the Argentine football association to FIFA.”
FIFA response
Argentina’s objection is unlikely to succeed. What is more likely is that the Morocco federation will be sanctioned for the misbehaviour of its fans.
A FIFA statement said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided, pursuant to Article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, to appoint an integrity expert to assist in investigations into possible violations of FIFA regulations following the incidents during the match between Argentina and Morocco on July 24, 2024, at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne, part of the group stage of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024.
“FIFA will provide further information on the outcome of these investigations in due course.”
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