In a pre-match press conference ahead of the Copa América 2024 final, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez expressed their support for Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa's scathing criticism of CONMEBOL, the South American soccer governing body, over the organizing of the tournament in the United States. The duo highlighted their concerns regarding security failures and other organizational shortcomings that have plagued the competition.

One major worry raised by Scaloni and Martínez was the possibility of a security lapse similar to the one witnessed during the semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia. Following Colombia's 1-0 victory, a brawl erupted in the stands near where the Uruguayan players' families were seated. Shocking videos circulated on the internet, showing Uruguayan players stepping in to protect their loved ones amidst the chaos.

Scaloni expressed his distress over the incident, stating, "The images were very sad. I absolutely agree with what [Marcelo Bielsa] said about the fields, and after what happened with Colombia and Uruguay, I would like to say - especially looking at [Sunday's] match - I think that it's supposed to be a party. In addition to the joy of winning a title, it would be great if we could have a happy ending."

Martínez also shared his concerns, drawing attention to a similar situation that occurred during a World Cup qualifier in Brazil last year, where his family members were subject to violence. He suggested reinforcing security and implementing clear divisions between Colombian and Argentinian fans to prevent potential confrontations.

Apart from the security failures, Scaloni and Martínez lamented several other organizational issues throughout the tournament. Complaints about shoddy temporary grass fields, inconsistent officiating, subpar television production, poor marketing efforts, and high ticket prices have marred the competition.

The coach also addressed speculation about Argentina's silence regarding the poor pitch conditions. He clarified that they refrained from discussing the issue publicly, not due to organizers' demands, but rather to avoid making excuses. "If the fields were in that condition at the beginning of the group stage, there was no way they could fix it. So I thought it was best not to talk about that because otherwise, it was like we're making excuses. We didn't want to use it as an excuse," Scaloni explained.

As Argentina faces Colombia in the final, both Scaloni and Martínez hope for improved security measures and an enjoyable ending to the tournament. Their concerns highlight the need for CONMEBOL and the organizers to address these deficiencies to ensure the safety and satisfaction of players, their families, and fans.

The final match of the Copa América 2024 between Argentina and Colombia is set to take place at 8 p.m. ET, broadcasted on FOX and the FOX Sports app.