Skip to main content

Argentina coach suspended for Copa America match against Peru for being repeatedly late

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni looks on from the bench before an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Chicago. Argentina won 1-0. (Paul Beaty / AP Photo) Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni looks on from the bench before an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Chicago. Argentina won 1-0. (Paul Beaty / AP Photo)
Share
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida -

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has been suspended for one match and will miss his team's last Copa America group match against Peru on Saturday.

Scaloni was suspended because Argentina was late returning for the second half in its two Copa matches, a 2-0 win against Canada and a 1-0 triumph over Chile, the disciplinary commission of CONMEBOL said on Friday.

Scaloni also can't attend the post-match news conference.

Later, Chile coach Ricardo Gareca was also suspended for one match for the same reason. Chile plays Canada on Saturday in Orlando.

Defending Copa America champion Argentina has already secured a berth in the knockout stages.

Argentina assistant Walter Samuel said during Friday’s press conference that Scaloni “was a little bitter about the situation.”

“We consider ourselves a correct coaching staff,” Samuel said. ”In these six years (on the job) we have almost never had this type of sanction. (It is) a little abnormal. He wanted to be with the team tomorrow.”

Copa America regulations say players must be on the pitch at the right time after the break and will be warned after a first violation. The sanction came after the second violation.

Canada's players publicly complained about Argentina's late return for the second half of their match on June 20.

Argentina needs a draw against Peru to secure first place in Group A.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Doctors say RFK Jr.'s anti-Ozempic stance perpetuates stigma and misrepresents evidence

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to tackle high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. They’re goals that many in the public health world find themselves agreeing with — despite fearing what else the infamous anti-vaccine activist may do in the post.

Dwayne Johnson's US$200 million+ Christmas pic opens to US$34.1 million

Moviegoers were not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit this weekend, or at least what 'Red One' was offering. The big budget, star-driven action comedy with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans sold US$34.1 million in tickets in its first weekend in theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It easily topped a box office populated mostly by holdovers.

Local Spotlight

Stay Connected