Lionel Scaloni missing from Argentina vs. Peru: Why halftime delay tactics at Copa America have led to a suspension

​Argentina are justifying their status as tournament favorites so far at the 2024 Copa America, with two from two victories in Group A, however, their performances have not come without scrutiny from opposing managers, players and fans.

Lionel Messi's side came under fire for delaying Canada in the opening game. The first half was deadlocked at 0-0 and at the break, Canada's national team players returned to the field on time but were made to wait for Messi and the rest of his teammates.

La Albiceleste followed that up with a repeat performance in their second group-stage match against Chile, where La Roja's players were out on the pitch for several minutes before Argentina emerged from the tunnel for the second period.

The situation has sparked conversation around the tournament's rulebook, with tournament organizers CONMEBOL now stepping in to discipline Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, and his Chile counterpart Ricardo Gareca for their timekeeping.

The Sporting News takes a look at the situation and why neither Scaloni nor Gareca will be on the touchline for their respective teams' games on Saturday.

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Argentina and Mexico accused of being 'unfair and disrespectful'

Argentina are not the only team who have been accused of delaying tactics.

During Mexico's opening game of the tournament at NRG Stadium, Jamaica's players returned to the field after their standard 15-minute halftime break. Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson came out of the locker room only to find their Mexican counterparts absent.

For several minutes, the Jamaican players waited on the field and Mexico's coach, Jaime Lozano, later admitted that he and his team were reviewing tactics and plays from the first half that they needed to "correct."

This lengthy halftime session marked the second such delay in three nights at the 2024 Copa America.

Mexico Copa America 2024

(Getty Images)

On opening night, Canada coach Jesse Marsch also voiced his frustration and even suggested that Argentina "should be fined" for taking several extra minutes in their locker room. While Hallgrimsson didn't go as far, he still noted it as "disrespectful".

"The halftime is just 15 minutes," Hallgrimsson continued. "And if they can take longer, then we should get at least the same chance to stay longer. It's just unfair and disrespectful."

Marsch echoed something similar and said: "When they were waiting, I knew that they were looking at video and analyzing how they wanted to play against us," in reference to Argentina.

Both games were scoreless at halftime. Both teams that unilaterally took extra time in their locker rooms eventually won — Argentina with a 2-0 victory over Canada and Mexico with a 1-0 win over Jamaica.

Chile have also come under fire for a similar thing, with Gareca sanctioned after being late in bringing on a player at halftime against Argentina.

The delays have raised questions about preventing teams from gaining an unfair edge and FIFA regulations clearly state that halftime is 15 minutes. CONMEBOL's Copa America 2024 regulations emphasize that "teams must strictly respect the schedule set for the start of the game."

What has happened to Lionel Scaloni and Ricardo Gareca?

CONMEBOL, it seems, are as good as their word.

Following the outcry, they have acted to make an example of Argentina and Chile, and on Friday coaches Lionel Scaloni and Ricardo Gareca were banned from being on the touchline for their respective Group A finales against Peru and Canada.

Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel will instead take control of the Argentina squad at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday.

He told reporters: "Lionel is upset about this. We consider ourselves to be staff with a lot of professionalism. We found out today. It was a blow. Sometimes you're talking about a small detail. We weren't trying to find an advantage. Now we have to focus on the next match and move forward."

What are the halftime rules at Copa America?

In the Mexico-Jamaica match, referee Ismail Elfath blew his whistle multiple times and waved Mexican players back onto the field. Both the referee and Jamaican players were seen pointing to their wrists, making the universal gesture of "You're late".

Neither the Mexican players nor the coaches were punished during the game.

However, according to CONMEBOL rules, "any delay in the start of the match or its restart because of the delay of one or more teams shall be subject to the sanctions provided for in the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code and Chapter 16 of these regulations."

This means the case can be referred to a disciplinary unit, an investigation may be opened, and a punishment, such as a fine — or in this case a suspension — can be issued.

Lionel Messi of Argentina and Stephen Eustaquio of Canada

Getty Images

Prior to the news of the suspensions for Scaloni and Gareca, Marsch had made his opinion on the matter clear

"I wish the referees would manage that... [Argentina] had that time to prepare how they wanted to play against us in the second half, which — if we would have known ahead of time that we could have an extra 10 minutes, then we could have prepared some things more."

Marsch added: "If we were five minutes late, we’d get a fine. There’d be a big problem. Let’s see what happens with Argentina. I think they have to be fined."

When asked about the halftime delay and Hallgrímsson’s comments, Lozano, meanwhile, said: "I don't know if it’s unfair. But we went through four or five plays, and I took too long. Yes, it's my responsibility. Normally we have some actions, some plays on the screen to correct, or to see what we are doing right. And there, I think I went a bit overboard."