Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has been suspended for one match and will miss the team's final Copa America group match against Peru on Saturday. The suspension was announced by CONMEBOL’s disciplinary commission on Friday, citing Argentina’s delayed return for the second half in their previous two matches, a 2-0 victory over Canada and a 1-0 win against Chile.

Scaloni will also be barred from attending the post-match news conference. Similarly, Chile's coach Ricardo Gareca received a one-match suspension for the same reason, as Chile prepares to face Canada on Saturday in Orlando.

Despite the setback, Argentina has already secured a place in the knockout stages of the tournament. Assistant coach Walter Samuel addressed the media on Friday, expressing Scaloni’s frustration with the situation. "Scaloni was a little bitter about the situation," Samuel said. "We consider ourselves a correct coaching staff. In these six years on the job, we have almost never had this type of sanction. It is a little abnormal. He wanted to be with the team tomorrow."

According to Copa America regulations, teams must be on the pitch promptly after halftime, with warnings issued for the first violation. The sanctions against Scaloni and Gareca came following a second violation. Canada's players had publicly complained about Argentina’s late return for the second half of their match on June 20.

 
 
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