2024-07-27 03:40:00
Shameful, embarrassing, regrettable, these adjectives are perfect for football’s debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In Argentina’s match against Morocco, what originally looked like a draw was turned into a defeat by VAR two hours later when Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg decided to restart the game, canceling Christian’s decision. ·Medina’s goal and played three games.
In the second half, when the referee decided to grant 15 minutes of overtime, the atmosphere became extremely intense. The game was tied at 2-1, and the Argentine team frequently scored against the opponent’s goal. The reason for this strange phenomenon was the constant entry of fans into the venue, especially the Moroccan public, and a child who asked Julian Alvarez for a photo.
When Albiceleste made it 2-2 in the 105th minute, bottles started falling on the Argentinian players in the Moroccan stands. They even dropped an explosive bomb near the bench.
Afterwards, fans wearing red shirts swarmed the stage. French police then moved in with shields in an attempt to control the tension created after the final goal. The chaotic situation worsened two hours later when the referee decided to restart play, review the tie and disallow Argentina’s goal at the request of the International Olympic Committee.
This Dantesque episode, which would have made Pierre de Coubertin and the teachers of Olympism blush, leads us to several conclusions:
1.- Poor organization and security of sports venues: The ease with which spectators were admitted showed that the venue was set up well beyond organizers’ expectations. The passive attitude of the French police in controlling offenders is far from guaranteeing the integrity of athletes and other members of the public.
2.-Double ethical standards: After France asked FIFA for the attacking anthem of some of the senior team players during their Copa America win, they did not see a similar tenor when it came to the defense of Argentina players who have been attacked and even had their belongings robbed in recent years. days.
3.- Sporting practicality above all else: The boos and resistance to Argentinian players reflect considerations of the team that could harm the local team’s aspirations. Without taking away from the fact that this is typical of sports, as a society turns to the most extreme, denying rights and inclusivity, accepting and looking to the descendants of its colonies over the years to improve its schools, and thus better sports , which is also a shocking income.
This is the same society that welcomed Lionel Messi with a red carpet when he arrived at PSG and then mistreated him when he failed to win the Champions League.
4.-Damn VAR: After nearly two hours of complete uncertainty, leaving the public and television viewers who had to leave the stadium in suspense, the referee decided to allow the players to warm up again and resume the show for three minutes.
In this order it is worth asking once and for all, and if not, then a time limit of up to five minutes should be set for VAR, after which what was initially decided by the on-field judge will stand.
VAR is killing people’s emotions. For football’s purest expression, it’s a goal celebration and one of the most sacred moments for fans.
It’s like a diner taking the first bite of his favorite dish with relish and then being forced to return the drink for a total food control.
In this sense, as in life, some issues must flow spontaneously, otherwise they lose the essence that distinguishes them.
5.-Necessity of sanctions: Incidents such as what happened at the Stade Saint-Etienne’s Stade Giofroi Guichard demand that FIFA and the IOC not get away with this, especially as the Games are still in their early stages.
Hopefully, the outstanding team of Argentinian football players participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics can reverse this first step through the competition. I don’t mean Olympism, for Olympism as we once knew it now sits limply on some table.
*Lawyer, professor of natural movement. University teacher. angrimanmarcelo@gmail.com
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