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Argentina star robbed in France before controversial Olympics opener

With there already being tension between the two nations, an Argentina star was robbed in France before the country's controversial 2024 Paris Olympics opener against Morocco on Wednesday.

Relations between Argentina and France remain tense amid an ongoing dispute between the two nations as a result of the racism scandal involving the South American side's senior national team.

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Conflict between the countries initially began at the 2022 FIFA World final, when Argentina players and fans targeted some members of the France national team with offensive chants after winning the tournament.

This seemingly sparked a bitter rivalry between the two parties, with some French people even opposing Lionel Messi's World Cup celebrations while he was still playing for Paris Saint-Germain. 

The taunts did not stop there, though, as Argentina players once again took aim at France following another triumphant Copa America campaign in the United States earlier this month.

An Instagram video recorded by the Albiceleste's Enzo Fernandez of racist chants being sung on their team bus added fuel to the tensions, prompting a formal complaint by the French Football Federation against Argentina at FIFA.

A social media outburst by an Argentine government official also intensified the conflict after she called France "colonialists", while some politicians from both countries have also remarked on the issue. 

With Argentina's U23 team taking part at the Paris Olympics, they were subjected to a hostile welcome by some people in the European nation, with one player even being robbed of his valuables prior to their opening game against Morocco yesterday.

Argentina's U23 boss Javier Mascherano told media that one his players, Thiago Almada, lost some of his possessions due to a break-in at their hotel.

"Yesterday they broke into the building. They stole things from Almada," the former Liverpool star said, according to SPORTbible.

"They ask us for credentials for everything, but then these things happen. They stole Almada's watches and rings.

"Today, they invaded the field seven times and then threw fireworks at us. They told us it ended 2-2. Even Morocco didn't want to play."

The match between Argentina and Morocco had to be suspended for nearly two hours due to angry fans invading and throwing objects on the pitch after Argentina had scored what appeared to be a late equaliser.

When they game was restarted, though, that goal was ruled out for offside by the VAR.

"The football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium was suspended due to a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators," a statement by the organisers of the event read.

"The match then restarted and was able to conclude safely. Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions."

Morocco went on to win the game 2-1.

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