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| Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar are seen as play is interrupted after Brazilian health officials objected to the participation of three Argentine players they say broke quarantine rules REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli |
FIFA has opened an investigation into the abandonment of the Brazil v Argentina World Cup qualifier with its president Gianni Infantino labelling the events “crazy” while Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to take disciplinary action against their Argentine players.
Brazilian health authorities intervened on Sunday after accusing four Argentine Premier League players of violating the country’s COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of Argentina’s team when officials from Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa walked on to the field and stopped the game around five minutes after kickoff.
Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia had also travelled from the UK and was in the stands.
Anvisa said Brazilian rules make clear that travellers who have been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous 14 days are forbidden from entering, unless they are Brazilian citizens or have permanent residency.
It said Argentine players had made false statements about their previous whereabouts on immigration forms.
Brazil’s Federal Police said on Monday they had opened a formal inquiry into the actions of the Argentine players, who, a spokesperson said, were deported.
“We can confirm an investigation has begun into the possible crime of supplying false information,” a spokesperson said. “Yesterday, the players were notified they must leave the country, which is the regular procedure, and statements from them were taken.”
The Argentine squad left Brazil together on Sunday night and flew back to Buenos Aires.
FIFA said it had received reports from match officials.
“The information will be analysed by the competent disciplinary bodies and a decision will be taken in due course,” FIFA said in a statement.
DIFFICULT SITUATION
Infantino, in a video address to the European Club Association’s general assembly, said the situation was a reminder of the difficulties faced during the pandemic.
“We saw what happened with the game between Brazil and Argentine, two of South America’s most glorious teams. Some officials, police, security officials entered the pitch after a few minutes of the game to take away some players – it is crazy but we need to deal with these challenges, these issues which come on top of the COVID crisis,” Infantino said.
Alejandro Martinez, brother of Emiliano, said the players were due to fly from Argentina to Croatia later on Monday in order to avoid the 10-day mandatory hotel quarantine on return to the UK from a red-list country.
“They will travel to Croatia to do their quarantine there and then go to England,” Alejandro told radio station La Oral Deportiva. “That was the conditions set by Aston Villa.”
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said Martinez and Buendia had been released from the national team, meaning they will not take part in Friday’s qualifier against Bolivia.
The Tweet from the AFA did not make reference to the two Tottenham players who travelled to the game without the permission of their club. The website football.london said the pair could expect fines on their return to England.
Villa and Tottenham did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
REUTERS
