New Delhi: Argentina’s Copa America title defense faces a minor hurdle as head coach Lionel Scaloni has been suspended for one match and will miss his team’s last group match against Peru. But what landed him in the penalty box? Here’s the story:
The issue stemmed from Argentina’s tardy return to the pitch after halftime in their opening two matches. CONMEBOL, the South American Football Federation, takes punctuality seriously. Their regulation dictates that teams must be present on the pitch at the right time after the break and will be warned after a first violation.
Argentina received a warning after their first offence against Canada after Canadian players publicly complained about it. The sanction came after the second violation, Argentina’s repeat delay against Chile, which triggered a harsh penalty. Lionel Scaloni, as a head coach, bears responsibility for ensuring his teams adhere to rules.
A Costly Delay
The consequence for Argentina came in the form of a one-match ban for Scaloni meaning he won’t be present on the sidelines for the final group stage fixture against Peru. He is not even allowed to attend the post-match news conference. Additionally, the Argentina Football Association was fined $15,000.
Motive behind the delay?
While the exact reason for Argentina’s delay remains unclear, some speculate it might have been a tactical ploy. Opponents, particularly Canada coach Jesse Marsch, suggested that the extra time allowed Argentina to adjust their strategy at halftime.
A Minor Bump in the Road
Defending Copa America champion Argentina has already secured a berth in the knockout stages; Scaloni’s absence is less critical. Though it is expected that Lionel Messi will also miss the upcoming clash Argentina needs to draw with Peru to secure first place in Group A.
Assistant coach Walter Samuel is expected to take over for the Peru match. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules, even for a team seeking to defend its Copa America crown.
Find out why Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni faces a one-match ban in Copa America 2024 and the strategic twist behind it. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
