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The Argentina National team was robbed before their first match against Morocco in the Paris Olympics 2024. The men’s soccer coach Javier Mascherano said their Olympic training base was robbed before its loss. The Argentina delegation has filed a police complaint in Lyon for this case. They were robbed during their training. Midfielder Thiago Almada’s watch was one of the items that was stolen away in this incident. After their case Australian Cycling team too suffered a similar situation in Paris, a video of their smashed car window recently took the internet by a storm.
Argentina, which won gold in 2004 and 2008 got off to a rocky start in the Paris Olympics after a 2-1 loss agianst Morocco. Argentina's game in Saint-Etienne was halted for nearly two hours after Moroccan fans stormed the pitch and threw bottles in protest of what seemed to be an equalizing goal by Cristian Medina in the 16th minute of added time. After the presumed goal was scored, players were evacuated from the pitch owing to safety concerns, as the field was littered with trash amidst screaming fans. Later, the goal was overturned due to an offside call, denying Argentina a leveler. The game was eventually restarted when fans were asked to leave Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The goal was overruled after a review by the visual assistance referee (VAR).
Argentina’s coach revealed midfielder Thiago Almada’s watch and ring were among the items taken. “Yesterday, they entered our training and robbed us. Thiago Almada was missing a watch, rings, and everything at training at the Olympics. We didn’t want to say anything after the training” he revealed. Argentina’s football association said it had issued a formal protest to the world governing body FIFA and would do “what is necessary” to guarantee the safety of players, on Wednesday.
The Australian cycling team was robbed as well
The Australian Olympic cycling team also fell victim to theft in Paris. The visuals of broken mirrors of cars, and vandalized items were witnessed and condemned by the whole world. Cyclist Logan Martin revealed that thieves smashed the passenger seat window of their van. He also stated that they not only stole a wallet but also made off with various equipment, including the physiotherapist’s massage table. The Aussie team van was broken into and Martin's personal items - including his wallet and backpack - were stolen in Brussels, where the cyclist has been training ahead of the Summer Games. His bikes were thankfully safe, the athlete confirmed.
In a video posted on Instagram, the 30-year-old showed how the van’s windows had been smashed in. "Our van got broken into last night, luckily my bikes weren't in there although my bike bags were in there, with some things in it," the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist said in the video.
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