Pumas 7s: Matteo Graziano Sarcastically Applauded the Referee and Was Booed by the French Crowd

Argentina's Pumas 7s rugby team suffered a setback in the Bordeaux Sevens tournament, falling 22-14 to host nation France. This loss, particularly the failure to secure a bonus point, has significantly diminished their prospects of advancing to the quarter-finals. The team had previously secured a win against Germany earlier in the day, but the crucial match against France proved challenging.

The match's tension boiled over in the final moments. With Argentina trailing 17-14 and mere seconds remaining, a penalty was awarded to France near the try line. Pumas captain Santiago Álvarez Fourcade was penalized for not releasing the ball. In a moment of visible frustration, player Matteo Graziano sarcastically applauded the referee's decision. This reaction led to a yellow card for Graziano after he failed to respect the required distance during the subsequent penalty kick and made contact with a French player.

As Graziano exited the field, his unsportsmanlike conduct continued. He sarcastically applauded the referee directly and, upon facing the hostile French crowd, made a defiant gesture. This behavior has placed him under scrutiny, and he may face disciplinary action from the tournament organizers. The intensity of matches between Argentina and France has escalated in recent years, marked by the French team's victory in the Madrid Grand Final and their elimination of the Pumas 7s in the Paris Olympics quarter-finals.

Despite Graziano's disciplinary issues, the Pumas 7s still have a chance to advance in Bordeaux. Luciano González Rizzoni was highlighted as the standout player for Argentina. The team's performance in the pool stage remains critical, with their final group match scheduled against New Zealand, the current group leader.