A pitch invasion triggered chaos at an Olympics soccer match between Argentina and Morocco – with a video evaluation ruling out an equalising purpose two hours after the sport was suspended.
In what Argentina supervisor Javier Mascherano described as a “circus”, his workforce had been denied what appeared like a 2-2 draw 16 minutes into added time after protesting Morocco followers compelled the sport to be suspended.
The choice ruling out the purpose was delivered about two hours after play was halted when the groups re-emerged on to the pitch to complete the match in an empty stadium.
It meant Argentina finally misplaced the match 2-1.
“It is a circus, I’ve by no means skilled something prefer it in my complete sporting profession,” Mascherano mentioned in feedback reported by Argentinian newspaper La Nacion.
Instantly after Argentina participant Cristian Medina appeared to have made the rating 2-2, bottles, cups and what seemed to be a flare had been thrown on to the pitch.
A number of followers in Morocco colors additionally ran on to the pitch, with some being escorted off the pitch by stewards.
Video boards knowledgeable followers to depart Stade Geoffroy-Guichard within the French metropolis of Saint-Etienne.
It was initially believed the full-time whistle had been blown and even FIFA’s web site had declared the sport over – however an hour later, organisers mentioned the match was not formally completed.
Reuters information company experiences the venue supervisor mentioned the sport had been interrupted and a call about whether or not the match could be accomplished was being mentioned.
In the meantime, an official reviewed the video of Medina’s purpose and knowledgeable gamers it had been overruled as considered one of Argentina’s gamers was judged marginally offside within the lead-up to their equaliser.
The 2 sides performed for about three minutes in an empty stadium earlier than the ultimate whistle formally blew.
Argentina had been two objectives down earlier than scoring within the 68th minute and believing that they had tied the sport deep into added time by way of Medina.
Following the controversy, Argentina star Lionel Messi – who is just not within the squad for the Olympics – shared a black-background submit on Instagram with the phrase “insolito” – uncommon – alongside a shocked emoji.
Mascherano additionally claimed thieves had damaged into the workforce’s coaching floor and stole a watch and rings belonging to participant Thiago Almada a day earlier than the match.