Paris 2024: Mateta insists ‘all French are touched by’ Argentina song before Olympic clash

France’s Olympics men’s quarter-final against Argentina arsenic been described arsenic individual to each French national by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The brace look disconnected successful Bordeaux this evening pinch tons of ill-feeling still lingering aft Argentina’s racist chanting astir French players of African descent pursuing their Copa America triumph past month.

Argentina’s shot and rugby stars person been jeered and booed during their games astatine Paris 2024 truthful far, pinch nan Friday evening conflict apt to beryllium different dispute environment.

And Mateta says nan crippled has go a nationalist talking constituent and that nan players were besides affected by nan comments.

The Crystal Palace striker said: “Argentina are nan past world champions, a squad that ever ends up successful nan last of nan tournaments they play.

“With what happened recently, each nan French are touched by it. We’ll spot what happens successful nan quarter-finals.”

The French Football Federation revenge a title past period pinch FIFA complete “racist and discriminatory remarks’ made by nan Argentina players.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who filmed nan chanting connected societal media, has had his ain Chelsea team-mates speak retired – pinch French defender Wesley Fofana describing it arsenic “unhibited racism”.

Fernandez has since apologised and made a aid to an anti-discrimination charity, pinch Fofana accepting his team-mates connection of regret.

But French supporters person been little forgiving truthful acold and Argentina’s players are prepared to look moor jeers connected Friday evening.

Argentina’s goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli said: “We already cognize wherever we travel from and really they will dainty america in France, but person nary uncertainty that we will do everything imaginable to transportation our emblem astatine nan highest level again.”