Olympic shame as armed police called in over ugly pitch invasion at Morocco and Argentina football game

Morocco secured a wild 2-1 win over Argentina at the start of the Olympic men’s football tournament but not before furious fans invaded the pitch to protest what appeared to be an equaliser by Cristian Medina in the 16th-minute of stoppage time.

Objects were thrown on to the field and security had to restrain fans, causing the game in Saint-Etienne to be suspended for nearly two hours and the crowd being told to leave the stadium.

The goal was eventually ruled offside just before play resumed, sparking celebrations from Morocco players as the final minutes concluded.

It was a chaotic and dramatic start to the tournament after Argentina, who won gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and are considered among the favourites in France, mounted a comeback after going 2-0 down on goals from Soufiane Rahimi on either side of half-time.

Giuliano Simeone struck in the 68th minute and Argentina peppered Morocco goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui with shots before Medina’s header from close range appeared to level matters.

That caused outrage from Morocco fans, who rushed the field, while others threw items on to the pitch, and the game was suspended.

There were images of some Argentina players flinching when what appeared to be a flare was thrown on to the field. Bottles and cups were strewn over the pitch by the time the game was paused.

It was initially thought that the full-time whistle had been blown. Even FIFA’s website declared the game over.

About an hour after the incident, organisers at the venue confirmed the match was not officially over and VAR would review whether the goal would stand.

Players eventually re-entered the field after a long delay and began to warm up before the game could be concluded.

After warm-ups, players from both teams stood on the field in the otherwise empty stadium while an official reviewed the video.

He offered a brief explanation to Argentina while players on Morocco’s bench celebrated.

Play went on for about three minutes after the resumption before the final whistle was blown.

“I can’t explain what happened. We spent about an hour and a half in the dressing room where they never told us what was going to happen,” Argentina coach Javier Mascherano said.

“The Moroccan captains didn’t want to play, we didn’t want to continue, and fans threw things at us.

“It’s the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life, I don’t know why they spent an hour and 20 minutes reviewing a play.

“I don’t think the game should be played for three minutes after an hour and a half. But it’s no use complaining, we don’t like this kind of thing to happen but we have to turn the page.”

Rahimi had put Morocco ahead in first-half stoppage time, then converted on a penalty kick in the 49th minute, which proved to be the decisive goal against an Argentina team who included four members of the squad who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Organisers later said they were working with stakeholders to understand the causes of the fan invasion and determine appropriate measures.