Argentina coach Scaloni suspended from Copa America match against Peru due to repeated delays

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has been suspended for one game and will miss his team’s final Copa America group match against Peru on Saturday.

Scaloni was suspended because Argentina returned late for the second half in both of their Copa matches (a 2-0 win over Canada and a 1-0 triumph over Chile), CONMEBOL’s disciplinary committee said on Friday.

Scaloni also cannot attend the post-match press conference.

Chile’s coach Ricardo Gareca was later banned for one game for the same reason. Chile will play against Canada in Orlando on Saturday.

Reigning Copa America winners Argentina have already secured a place in the knockout round.

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

“We consider ourselves to be a proper coaching staff,” Samuel said. “In these six years (in office), we have almost never received this type of punishment. (It’s) a little abnormal. He wanted to be with the team tomorrow.”

Copa America regulations state that players must be on the field at the correct time after half-time and are cautioned after the first violation. The penalty was given after the second violation.

Canada’s players publicly complained about Argentina’s delayed return for the second half of their game on June 20.

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

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