On Friday, the French Olympic team qualified for the semi-finals of the 2024 Olympic Games by eliminating Argentina (1-0). The match ended chaotically in Bordeaux, when
Players and staff from both teams clashed on the field.
Lucas Beltran returned to the stormy relations between the two teams, which date back to the 2022 World Cup final.
“They celebrate the goal in front of you, they insult you, they call you racist and you wonder why they say that to you, when you’re not. I’m not like that and it makes you even more angry. The scenario of the quarter-finals created a huge mess. I found it strange that they went to celebrate in front of our families at the end of the match, I don’t think that’s the right way to do it.”the Fiorentina player said in an interview with ESPN.
Are Argentinians Really Racist?
The episode of racist chants seems to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I have no problem with the French and I never had any. I invite them to Argentina so they can see what we are like: zero racists, we are nice to everyone. This racist label is misplaced and that’s why everything has gotten out of hand.”judges the Albiceleste center forward.
Thierry Henry’s Bleuets will face Egypt in the semi-final of the Olympic tournament on Monday, August 5, at 9 p.m., in Lyon. The other semi-final will pit Morocco against Spain on the same day, at 6 p.m.
