Argentina Vs Morocco: Morocco Fans Protest Late Goal

Crowd Trouble Erupts Over Disallowed Goal

Updated at 10:15 AM PDT, July 24, 2024

Saint-Etienne, France (AP)

Chaos erupted at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard during the opening match of the Paris Olympics, as Morocco fans invaded the pitch to protest a late goal by Argentina.

The controversial incident occurred in stoppage time of the Group B match, with Argentina trailing 2-1. Lionel Messi appeared to have equalized for Argentina, but the goal was ruled out by VAR nearly two hours later, citing offside.

The decision sparked outrage among Morocco fans, who stormed the field to express their displeasure. Play was suspended for an extended period as security personnel attempted to restore order.

Argentina ultimately salvaged a point from the match with a goal from Lautaro Martinez in the 97th minute. However, the late drama was overshadowed by the crowd trouble, which cast a dark cloud over the opening of the Olympic football tournament.

The incident highlighted the challenges of managing large crowds and ensuring fan safety at major sporting events. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since issued a statement condemning the violence and promising to investigate the incident.

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to run from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Enhanced security measures will likely be implemented in light of the events at the opening match.