It’s a hell of a match that awaits us in the quarter-finals. And above all, it’s a match that promises to be tense following the controversy linked to the racist chants sung by several Argentinian players during the celebrations of the Copa América victory. A chant that was born during the 2022 World Cup and which contains xenophobic, racist and transphobic remarks, among others, and which almost triggered a diplomatic war between France and Argentina in recent weeks.
Many important voices in the Latin American country, including politicians and other top athletes, had indeed defended the Albiceleste players, while the FFF had filed a complaint. Inevitably, this quarter-final promises to be particularly tense, in the stands but also on the pitch, with French players who will be keen to get revenge.
The Bleuets want to fight
After the French victory against New Zealand (3-0), Jean-Philippe Mateta, for example, spoke out. “Argentina are the last world champions, a team that always ends up in the final of the tournaments it plays. But for now, we’re going to celebrate the qualification and then we’ll get into this match slowly. With what happened recently, all the French are affected. We’ll see what happens in the quarter-finals.”launched the attacker, confirming the desire of the tricolor group to fight.
In his speech, Thierry Henry did not necessarily mention these tensions between the two countries. “Now there is another tournament starting. We will try to enjoy, recover, it will happen quickly, and we will prepare for this match against Argentina. We will have to stay focused, and do what we have to do.”explained the Olympic coach. See you on Friday…
