Argentina race row intensifies as France fans loudly boo Pumas' Rugby Sevens side as players enter pitch at Paris Olympics

Argentina race row intensifies as France fans loudly boo Pumas’ Rugby Sevens side as players enter pitch at Paris Olympics

Argentina were loudly booed by France fans as they entered the pitch prior to their Olympic Rugby Sevens quarter-final defeat against the hosts.

The growing unrest between the countries comes amid video footage released by Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez that showed Argentine players singing racist chants about the French football team.

4 Argentina players were loudly booed during their defeat to France Credit: Getty

Argentina's rugby team at the Olympics has already been booed in Paris after they played Kenya earlier this week.

They were greeted to a loud chorus of boos at the Stade de France, and the reception was even louder on Thursday evening.

"I wasn't ready or prepared for that reception," captain Gaston Revol said.

"But it's OK. We are enjoying the atmosphere of what sport brings - you can have the crowd in your favour or against us. in this case, they are against us, but it's OK.

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"We don't care about the controversy, it is the opinion of the crowd. We are trying to do our things and enjoy what is happening here. We love being here."

The Argentina football squad have come under fire for their chants on a team bus fresh from winning the Copa America.

The song contains derogatory lyrics stereotyping French footballers as being “all from Angola” or having a “Nigerian” mother and “Cameroonian” father.

There has been bad blood between the nations since the World Cup final in 2022, which Argentina won on penalties.

4 French fans booed the Argentines as they came out

4 Argentina's football squad infuriated France with a racist chant earlier this month

4 The host nation prevailed as 26-14 winners over the Pumas Credit: Getty

It saw Lionel Messi lift his first World Cup, aiding his quest to win an eighth Ballon d'Or.

But the French were less than pleased with the manner in which the Albiceleste celebrated, which included Emi Martinez parading a Kylian Mbappe doll during the celebrations.

France flew into a 21-0 lead against Argentina in the rugby sevens quarter-final, with the visitors appearing to have been affected by the vociferous atmosphere.

Argentina managed to claw it back to 21-14, but a late try from Antoine Dupont secured a 26-14 victory for France.

They will now face South Africa for a place in the final and a shot at the gold medal.

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