Argentina Olympics star ROBBED before chaotic ending to Morocco clash, claims manager Javier Mascherano in furious rant
ARGENTINA’s Olympic boss Javier Mascherano lost it after his side suffered an extraordinary 2-1 defeat to Morocco in the Paris 2024 opener.
The world champs’ 116th minute equaliser was ruled out for a marginal offside 92 minutes after the game was suspended.
Mascherano, 40, also declared that Argentinian midfielder Thiago Almada was robbed on Tuesday during training.
He said: “Yesterday they broke into the building. They stole things from Almada. They ask us for credentials for everything, but then these things happen. They stole Almada’s watches and rings.
“Today they invaded the field 7 times and then threw fireworks at us. They told us it ended 2-2. Even Morocco didn’t want to play.”
It is unclear who “they” are.
Turning to the game, a total of 15 minutes were added on by the referee, with Cristian Medina heading home in the 16th.
Morocco fans protested and hurled firecrackers and bottles, with many even invading the pitch.
The fixture was listed as being delayed with the score level at 2-2, with both Argentina and Morocco listing the match as a result on social media.
But 92 minutes later, the goal was chalked off following the longest VAR review in football history – and players were recalled to complete the final three minutes.
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Following Morocco’s 2-1 victory, Argentina’s boss lashed out as he deemed it “the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Mascherano said: “What happened was a scandal. This is not a neighbourhood tournament, it is the Olympic Games.
“They never told us that a play was being reviewed. We are not going to file a complaint, that’s it. We have to look forward, this is already over.
“We have to win both games to qualify. The group is strong.”
Dramatic scenes saw firecrackers and bottles hurled from the stands after Medina’s supposed equaliser.
Some supporters began to hurl dangerous objects at Argentine stars, forcing them to flee the pitch.
Riot police entered the field to prevent the drama from escalating.
There was drama before kick-off too as fans booed Argentina’s national anthem following last week’s racism storm.
Enzo Fernandez posted a video showing himself and team-mates chanting a vile song about France’s national team.
There were more than four hours between the start of the match and the final whistle.
Argentina legend Lionel Messi, who is not playing in the tournament, took to social media after the extraordinary scenes.
“Insolito,” he wrote on his Instagram story, which means “strange” in English.