Players from France and Argentina faced each other on the field after the Olympic quarterfinals.
France narrowly beat two-time gold medalists Argentina 1-0, but the game was marked by rising tensions at the final whistle.
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Players and coaching staff from both sides were involved in a fight on the field moments after the referee ended the game.
The French coaching staff and players took to the field to celebrate reaching the Olympic semi-finals at home.
While Argentine coaches and substitutes were also seen running onto the playing surface.
There was clear pushing and shoving as a group of Argentine players took on French star Enzo Millot.
While things got worse after other players got involved in an attempt to try and calm things down.
At this time it is not known what triggered the battle on the field.
However, there were indications that French midfielder Millot celebrated his country’s victory overzealously in the faces of Argentine players – sparking a furious reaction.
Millot was reportedly sent off after the final whistle for his part in the dispute, despite being on the bench for the last five minutes of the game.
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French coach Thierry Henry was furious at the decision to sack Millot, who will now miss the semi-final.
Henry said: “I apologize for the final disruption. It wasn’t what I wanted and I couldn’t control it. They actually sent off a player.
“This is unnecessary, useless. He was on the bench. I’m really not happy about it.”
The fight comes after the “racism” controversy between Argentina and France last month.
Argentine star Enzo Fernandez, who is not in the Olympic squad, live-streamed a video of himself and his teammates singing an offensive chant about the French team following their Copa America glory this summer.
The vile chant appeared to be aimed at the French team and dates back to the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina defeated France in the final on penalties.
Appearing live on TV at that time, some fans of the South American country sang an offensive chant that alluded to a number of the French star’s African heritages.
And in Fernandez’s Instagram video, he and his teammates could be heard chanting disgusting words during the celebrations.
Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who is French and has an Ivorian father, took to social media to label the clip “racism”.
He wrote: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”
Fernandez has since issued an online apology to those who saw the video, as well as a private apology to his Chelsea teammates.
While Fofana revealed that he and Fernandez had made peace, explaining that the South American is “not racist”.
After the pair joined Chelsea’s pre-season preparations, Fofana said: “It’s simple. He arrived on Monday and we spoke to the coach.
“I explained why I didn’t like the video. He explained, he apologized because he didn’t want to hurt the French fans or anyone else.
“He didn’t understand when he sang. He did not understand. And I trust him.
“Because I know him. I know he’s not racist. The act made me a little upset.
“We play for the same club and the same badge and we train together. Now I understand him. He understands me. Everyone is happy.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
