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Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>French celebrations 'p*ssed off' Otamendi</li><li>Defender angered by player's actions</li><li>Argentina lost to France in quarter-finals</li></ul>

Nicolas Otamendi blames France player 'whose name I don't even know' for sparking massive brawl with wild celebrations after Olympics defeat

The aftermath of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/enzo-fernandez-involved-massive-brawl-breaks-out-france-eliminate-argentina-olympics/blt8ec884700e3f16df" target="_blank">Argentina's loss to France at the Paris Olympics led to a brawl</a>, with Javier Mascherano's side annoyed by the French players celebrating in front of their friends and family. French youngster Enzo Millot was also alleged to have made an obscene gesture to Argentina's bench after the final whistle was blown.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">❌🇨🇵Los jugadores de Francia festejando frente a la tribuna donde había un puñado de hinchas argentinos🇦🇷. <a href="https://t.co/DdqUEzTi65">pic.twitter.com/DdqUEzTi65</a>— Deportes 24 - Argentina (@deportes24ar) <a href="https://twitter.com/deportes24ar/status/1819486675556618682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

Tensions have been rife between France and Argentina in recent times, not just due to their match up in the 2022 World Cup final. Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-squad-very-angry-enzo-fernandez-footage-argentina-squad-singing-racist-discriminatory-song-french-football-federation-hints-legal-action/blt3c7a923d65fafe13" target="_self">embroiled in controversy recently</a> after celebrating his country's Copa America win by singing derogatory chants about France's team. Jean-Philippe Mateta then scored the winner on Friday against Argentina to send France to the Olympic semi-finals.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Otamendi told <a href="https://www.tycsports.com/polideportivo/nicolas-otamendi-geronimo-rulli-seleccion-argentina-francia-juegos-olimpicos-2024--id599834.html" target="_self">TyC Sports</a>: “It really p*sses me off that players can celebrate, they can enjoy whatever they want, but where the people and family are, and celebrate with them there."There was one whose name I don’t even know, who if he wants to celebrate, he should come to us and we’ll sort it out there. But that really pisses me off, that they celebrate with them knowing that there are kids and family, that’s not good.“One of them went to celebrate on our bench. I didn’t really understand what was happening, but then I realised that he went to celebrate with our people. It’s one thing to celebrate on the field with your people, whatever you want, but I didn’t like that afterwards. It’s up to each person."

WHAT OTAMENDI SAID

Along with Otamendi, Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli also commented on the situation, saying: "Sometimes there are players who don't know how to win and what happens happens."I think it's completely avoidable, it's not a nice image for anyone. We as Argentines know that when we win, we celebrate with our people and when we lose we congratulate the rival and go inside. I think they had something kept for a long time and today they let it out."

ARGENTINA STARS SPEAK OUT

While Argentina's campaign is over, France's hopes of winning the gold medal on home soil are still alive. They will take on Egypt in the semi-finals on August 5, with the winner going on to face either Morocco or Spain in the final.

WHAT NEXT?

'It really p*sses me off!' - Nicolas Otamendi blames France player 'whose name I don't even know' for sparking massive brawl with wild celebrations after Olympics defeat | Goal.com US

Argentina under-23 captain Nicolas Otamendi hit out at France&apos;s passionate celebrations following the clash between the two sides at the Olympics

Nicolas Otamendi blames France player &apos;whose name I don&apos;t even know&apos; for sparking massive brawl with wild celebrations after Olympics defeat