ATLANTA — The opening match of Copa America 2024 between Argentina and Canada led to a 2-0 win for the defending tournament champs, but also a bit of controversy involving the greatest player in the world.
Canada Soccer and Concacaf issued statements on Friday condemning racism allegations made online and directed at defender Moise Bombito. Bombito, who is Black, was seen on video tackling Argentina striker Lionel Messi where he caught Messi on the ankle, and it drew a nasty reaction online.
Bombito posted on his own Instagram story, "My beautiful Canada ❤️ No room for that bs."
Canada Soccer posted the following statement early Friday morning in the overnight hours:
"Canada Soccer is aware of and deeply disturbed by racist comments made online and directed at one of our men's national team players following the match. We are in communication with Concacaf and CONMEBOL about this matter."
Concacaf later issued their own statement, condemning the racist comments directed at Bombito:
"We stand with Canada Soccer in condemning the disgraceful social media posts aimed at Moise Bombito. Racism has no place in our sport or in society. We are now working with the federation and with our colleagues at CONMEBOL and FIFA to seek ways to investigate the accounts which posted racist material. We will continue to use our reach to promote unity and respect."
Bombito's club team, MLS' Colorado Rapids, said the team was "extending our love and standing beside" him.
Given the case of racism evident on social networks after the opening match of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™️, between Argentina and Canada, the South American Football Confederation is pleased to inform you that:
Expression against acts of racism has been and will be CONMEBOL's most important policy in defense of the values of a just and inclusive society, which is why we have launched initiatives such as ENOUGH OF RACISM! that seek to raise awareness and educate fans and protagonists on the playing field about the scourge that unfortunately exists in football.
Our organization is constantly working on the evolution of a new culture that eradicates expressions of racism, offensive content on social networks and all types of violence or discrimination around our football. We condemn in every place and on every occasion, attitudes of intolerance hiding behind accounts on social platforms under any form of expression.
This CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™️ is the largest and most challenging continental tournament in our history and therefore, today more than ever we are going to raise our flag against all types of racist expression. From CONMEBOL, we support and support the actions of Concacaf based on the complaints made by the Canadian Football Federation, for racist acts on social networks.
We will be attentive to any act of intolerance and will act in accordance with the necessary parameters with those who decide to act outside the rules of coexistence.
Argentina's 2-0 win Thursday night gave them three points to lead Group A, while Canada lie at the bottom of the group. Copa America continues Friday night in Arlington with Peru vs. Chile at AT&T Stadium. The United States also play at AT&T Stadium on Sunday versus Bolivia.
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