Argentina’s 2024 Olympic soccer journey went from bad to worse.
The nation’s U-23 coach, Javier Mascherano, revealed the team dealt with a robbery while preparing for their drama-filled match with Morocco.
Mascherano told reporters that thieves snuck into the locker room while the team was training, and players were missing several items, including jewelry such as Thiago Almada’s watch.
“They went into training and they robbed us, in the Olympic Games,” Mascherano told reporters after Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Morocco. “We didn’t want to say anything after training, I don’t think it helps anything. But obviously it’s a bit disagreeable that these kinds of things happen.”
The group stage match, which was chaotic in its own right, was played as scheduled and Morocco triumphed –but not without an insane amount of controversy.
Fans stormed the field and threw objects at players as Argentina scored what everyone thought was a game-tying goal in the 16th minute of stoppage time.
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Players were removed from the field due to safety concerns after the presumed goal was scored, as the field was littered with trash and fans.
Roughly two hours later, once the dust had settled and the debris that littered the pitch was removed, the goal was taken off the board after VAR determined there was offsides on the play.
“The football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium was suspended due to a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators,” tournament organizers said in a statement.
“The match then restarted and was able to conclude safely. Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions.”
Mascherano called the match “the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.”