Chaos erupts as Moroccan fans storm pitch during Olympic football match against Argentina

A men’s football match between Morocco and Argentina descended into chaos on Wednesday when Moroccan fans stormed the pitch and threw bottles at the Argentinian team.

“What happened on the pitch was scandalous. It’s not a local tournament, it’s the Olympic Games,” said Argentina head coach Javier Mascherano in a television interview.

Tensions were high from the start. Some sections of the crowd booed Argentina, likely in reaction to a recent controversy involving Argentinian footballer Enzo Fernandez.

A week prior, Fernandez had livestreamed a video of himself and teammates singing a song after winning the COPA America, which the French Football Federation condemned as racist and discriminatory for mocking French players of African descent.

The Olympic match was halted for nearly two hours when Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored in injury time, prompting Moroccan fans to invade the pitch. However, after a Video Assistant Referee review, Medina's goal was disallowed due to an offside call.

The game resumed in an empty stadium after spectators were ordered to leave, with Morocco eventually securing a 2-1 victory.

This turbulent match has cast a shadow over the opening of the Paris Olympics, raising concerns about the organizers' ability to ensure safety. Event organizers are now investigating the incident and considering appropriate measures.