Absurd Players Exploit Security Gaps... 75 Million Won Worth of Jewelry Stolen from Argentina Soccer Team Locker Room [Paris Olympics]

Tiago Almada from Argentina, Watch and Ring Stolen

Ahead of the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, a member of the Argentina national football team had precious jewelry worth approximately 75 million KRW stolen.

On the 25th (local time), according to France Info, Argentina coach Javier Mascherano revealed the theft incident involving a team member in an interview with Argentine media after losing the match against Morocco.

The theft occurred on the 23rd, just before the Olympic group stage match against Morocco. At that time, the Argentina team was training at the Auguste Delaune Stadium in Saint-?tienne. Local police stated that the theft took place in the stadium locker room, and the stolen items reported by Almada included a watch worth 40,000 euros and a ring worth 10,000 euros. The damage amounts to approximately 75 million KRW.

Argentina National Football Team. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Coach Mascherano explained, "Yesterday, a thief broke into the training ground and stole items," adding, "Thiago Almada lost his watch and ring. We did not want to disclose this before the match." He expressed regret, saying, "They kept demanding verification and identification from us at every turn, but this still happened."

This is a direct criticism of the French government's security lapses. The French government and the Paris Olympic Organizing Committee had previously announced that they would establish thorough security and vigilance measures to prepare for various risks, including terrorism, ahead of the Paris Olympics. Many police forces have been deployed at each venue to ensure safety during the Olympics. Armed police patrol the areas around the Seine River and some subway stations.

At Olympic venues, security personnel conduct strict identity checks on entrants. However, during the match between Morocco and Argentina, chaotic situations occurred, including excited spectators storming the field and throwing water bottles. Furthermore, with theft incidents occurring even before the opening ceremony, security issues are expected to intensify. On the 23rd, police began investigating after a report was filed that an Australian woman was gang-raped by five people in central Paris. Since this is the first outdoor opening ceremony in Olympic history, concerns about terrorism have also been raised.