Chaos erupted during the men’s soccer quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
France defeated Argentina 1-0 in a highly-contested match on Friday — thanks to an early goal in the fifth minute from striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Nevertheless, what was set to be an electric, victorious moment for the host nation at Stade Matmut-Atlantique exploded into a brawl between both teams as soon as the final whistle blew.
“I went to shake the opposing coach’s hand and all of a sudden I saw a lot of things happening,” French coach Thierry Henry told reporters afterward. “I don’t like seeing this kind of thing. It wasn’t necessary.”
Tensions were high early in the match — with a previous racism scandal serving as the undercurrent — and jeers and boos for Argentina reverberated throughout the stadium.
Argentina’s national anthem drew a chorus of boos, and the players were met with scoffs when the whistle blew for kick-off.
A post-match encounter with Argentine and French players at the Bordeaux Stadium during the men’s quarterfinal football match, won 1-0 by France on Aug. 2, 2024, in the Paris 2024 Olympics. REUTERS
The controversy unfolded when footage surfaced of Argentina’s national team — the 2024 Copa America champions — singing a racist song about France on the bus as they celebrated their 1-0 victory over Uruguay, which marked their 16th Copa title.
“The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, strongly condemns the unacceptable racist and discriminatory comments made against the players of the French team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team after its victory in Copa America, and broadcast on social networks,” the statement said.
“Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA to file a lawsuit for abusive remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”
Team Argentina’s men’s rugby sevens team and handball team both experienced similar hostile environments during their respective events, according to Fox Sports .
Ezequiel Fernandez of Argentina after losing quarterfinal soccer match against France at Bordeaux Stadium. AP
Les Bleus — who snagged their only Olympic gold medal at the 1964 Games — are in search of a second, and there’s no better place to do it than at home.
The team is set to face Egypt in the semifinals on Saturday.
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