PARIS 2024 began with an extraordinary VAR catastrophe, as Argentina lost their trouble-strewn Olympic football opener against Morocco more than two HOURS after they were celebrating a DRAW.
The South American team appeared to have cobbled a draw in the 16th minute of stoppage time, after being barracked incessantly before and during the match in what appeared to be a reaction to Enzo Fernandez’s Copa America racist singalong.
13Fans threw firecrackers and other dangerous objects at Argentinian stars after they seemingly scored a last minute equaliserCredit: Rex
13Some supporters even marched on the pitch and missiles were thrown leaving the South American Olympic squad ducking and diving to escape
13Moroccan stars were also escorted to safety having thought the game was OVER
13The tie was actually suspended following the pitch invasion and Argentina’s equaliser was later ruled out after a VAR review
13Bruno Amione was adjudged to have been offside in the build upCredit: BBC
13Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg had his work cut out all eveningCredit: AFPCristian Medina nodded in from close range following an incredible series of rebounds that included shots from Nicolas Otamendi and Bruno Amione that hit the crossbar.
That appeared to cap a spectacular comeback from two goals down for former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano’s side, sparking major unrest among Moroccan spectators at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Angry North African fans, who were already upset by the extra injury time and decisions that went against them in the game, tossed bottles and firecrackers onto the pitch.
Others jumped over the fences to reach the playing pitch, frightening the Argentine players.
Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg directed both sets of players to the changing room.
Even though there were three minutes left in the game, everyone assumed it was finished.
Both teams initially refused to return to the field and were supported by Fifa, despite Nyberg being informed by the Paris-based VAR booth that Amione had been fractionally offside.
However, 90 minutes after the “final whistle,” Mascherano and his teammates were informed that the equaliser was being reviewed.
13Argentina players were lucky to avoid injury in the shameful scenesCredit: Reuters
13Morocco celebrates after the team’s 2-1 victory, finally ending the four-hour ordeal.Credit: Getty.
If the goal was verified, the game would be over, but if Amione was offside, an additional three minutes would be played.
By this point, both sets of players were still in their uniforms in the dressing room, waiting for the go-ahead to return to the pitch.