Paris 2024 Olympics: Argentine federation reportedly invited violent groups of supporters to quarter-final against France

As here in D̩cines during Argentina-Iraq, Argentine supporters could be numerous, Friday in Bordeaux. MAXPPP РSt̩phane GUIOCHON

According to South American media, the Argentine Football Federation and its president have invited groups of supporters known for their violence, on the occasion of the quarter-final of the football tournament between France and Argentina, Friday August 2 (9 p.m.) in Bordeaux.

France-Argentina, yet another episode in a new rivalry that continues to grow. This Friday (9pm), in Bordeaux, the two countries will meet in a quarter-final of the Olympic football tournament that promises to be very tense. The blame lies in the controversies of recent weeks, marked in particular by the racist chants of the Albiceleste players after their victory at the Copa America.

And as if that were not enough, the Argentinian newspaper El Semanario de Junin reveals that the country's Football Federation and its sulphurous president, Chiqui Tapia, have decided to invite groups of unsavoury supporters to the party.

All expenses paid

According to the local media, the AFA is providing tickets to several "barras bravas" of the clubs Sarmiento, Boca Juniors, River Plate and San Lorenzo. Only a current passport is required for those wishing to travel to France. The costs of the trip would be covered by the clubs or barras themselves.

The initiative of the Argentine federation would not be unprecedented. It would regularly call on these same supporters to support the selection in the four corners of the globe.

Incidents, truckers' unions and the world of boxing

The problem is that these groups have been talked about in the past for their violence in a championship that is regularly the scene of incidents. Some of them are said to be linked to truckers' unions or the boxing world, recalls El Semanario de Junin.

Expected in Paris on Thursday, the Argentinian “hinchas” are due to travel to Bordeaux on Friday. They would thus be taking part in a France-Argentina match over which the spectre of real tensions is already hanging over them. A security threat could be added to this. Even if, on Thursday, no announcement from the authorities had been relayed.