Antonio Barra Torres, director of the National Agency for Health Surveillance (Notice, regulator), He explained in dialogue with ESPN that four players of the Argentina National Team did not report that they were in the United Kingdom for at least 14 days and therefore decided to break into the classic against Brazil, which led to the suspension of the match of the South American qualifiers.
According to Barra Torres, Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Giovani El Cels, Emiliano Buendía did not comply with the stipulations: “Our determination was that they would be isolated in the hotel until they could return to their country“.
Here are the best phrases from Barra Torres to ESPN Team F.:
“What happened was that four Argentine footballers did not report in their health statement that they were at least 14 days ago in the United Kingdom, which is one of the countries with which there are restrictions on entering Brazil.”
“We realized the moment they arrived in Brazil.”
“Our determination was that they would be isolated in the hotel until they could return to their country, but they went to the stadium to play the match. And it was not fulfilled.”
“Anvisa is the police power in Brazil’s health affairs. It has the force of law.”
“We inform the footballers that they had to comply with these regulations.”
“Players can return to Argentina without a problem.”
“It was a double health offense.”
“We are not at all happy with what happened. In the next few hours, doubts will be answered.”
“Those involved are being deported again.”
“This determination is exclusive to foreigners, but if Brazilian footballers in the same condition had been in the UK for the last 14 days, they would not have been able to play either.”
“If the four players had not been with the Argentina national team, there would have been no problem. But they did not comply with the regulations on two occasions: by declaring something that was not true and by not complying with the isolation.”