‘Couldn’t control it’: Olympic soccer match ends in major brawl

Even coaching staff got involved during the major brawl at the Olympics quarter-final.

Players Team Argentina and Team France clash after the Men's Quarterfinal match. Picture: Getty

France and Argentina players clashed on the pitch after an Olympic quarter-final.

The French narrowly beat two-time gold medallists Argentina 1-0, but the game was marred by boiling tensions on the full-time whistle.

Players and staff of both sides were involved in a brawl on the pitch just moments after the referee called time on the game, the Sun has reported.

France and Argentina players were involved in a brawl after their Olympic quarter-final. Picture: AFP

French coaching staff and players spilt onto the pitch in celebration at making an Olympic semi-final on home soil.

While Argentina coaches and substitutes were also seen running onto the playing surface.

There was clear pushing and shoving as a group of Argentine players confronted France star Enzo Millot.

As things escalated, other players got involved in a bid to try and calm things down.

Coaching staff were also involved in the melee. Picture: AFP

According to reports, France midfielder Millot had celebrated his nation’s victory overzealously towards Argentine players – sparking an angry reaction.

And after the match, French manager Thierry Henry revealed Millot had been shown a red card and fumed at his player’s behaviour.

France and Argentina teams react at the end of the match after France won the men's quarter-final football match between France and Argentina during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux on August 2, 2024. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP)

Arsenal legend Henry said: “I apologise for the final disturbance. It’s not what I wanted and I couldn’t control it.”

He added: “Enzo Millot received a red card after the match. That’s not helpful.”

“I don’t like this kind of thing. I’m not happy about it.”

The brawl follows a race row between Argentina and France last month.

Argentina star Enzo Fernandez, who is not in the Olympic squad, live streamed a video of himself and his national teammates singing an offensive chant about the French national side following their Copa America glory this summer.

The vile chant appeared to take aim at the French national team and dates back to the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties.

A French player was sent off after the final whistle. Picture: Getty

Appearing on live TV back then, some fans from the South American country sang an offensive chant that alluded to a number of the French stars’ African heritage.

And in Fernandez’s Instagram video, he and his teammates could be heard to sing the sickening words during their celebrations.

Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who is French and the son of an Ivorian father, took to social media to slam the clip as “racism”.

He wrote: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”.

Police forces stand guard in the tribunes at the end of the match. Picture: AFP

Fernandez has since issued an apology online to those who saw the video, as well as a private apology to his Chelsea teammates.

And Fofana revealed that he and Fernandez have made up, explaining that the South American is “not racist”.

Enzo Millot and teammates celebrate the win. Picture: AFP

After the pair both joined Chelsea’s pre-season preparations together, Fofana said: “It’s simple. He arrived on Monday and we talked with the manager. We talked together.

“I explained why I didn’t like the video. He explained, he said sorry because he did not want to hurt French fans or anyone.

“He did not understand when singing it. He did not understand. And I trust him.

“Because I know him. I know he is not racist. The act, I felt a little bit upset. But now, it is done. It is finished.

Players Team Argentina and Team France clash after the Men's Quarterfinal match. Picture: Getty

“We play for the same club and badge and train together. Now I understand him. He understands me. Everybody is happy.”

But the French fans before the game were not so forgiving.

During the Argentine national anthem, loud boos could be heard from the home supporters.

And this was not the first time the anthem was booed during the Olympics, with similar scenes occurring before Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Morocco in the opening match. The Argentine rugby team also saw their tries booed by the French crowd during the rugby sevens competition.

Originally published as ‘Couldn’t control it’: Olympic soccer match ends in major brawl