A World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina came to a halt on Sunday just after the start after Brazilian health officials opposed the participation of three Argentine players, who are said to have breached the rules. quarantine.
Argentina had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came Corinthians Arena.
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The players went to the locker room, although the two coaches, along with Argentine captain Lionel Messi and the Brazilian players, met next to the pitch a few moments later to discuss the break. The game was suspended shortly thereafter.
The incident came just hours after Brazilian health regulator Anvisa said four Argentine players had to isolate themselves and could not play the match. The four Argentine players – Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa and Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur – play in the English Premier League.
According to Brazilian regulations, visitors who have been in the UK for 14 days prior to entry into the country must be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival.
The Brazilian health regulator was informed that the four did not claim there was information on their immigration forms and on Sunday confirmed that the details given were “false”.
“Anvisa considers that the situation is a serious health risk and has therefore asked the local health authorities to determine the immediate quarantine of the players, who are prevented from participating in any activity and should be to prevent them from remaining on Brazilian soil, “Anvisa said in a statement.
However, no action was taken and the four players were allowed to travel with the Argentine team from the hotel to the stadium. Martinez, Lo Celso and Romero were in the starting lineup.
The confusion comes amid continuing anger in South America over rules that have banned several teams from using key players for this month’s three World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil does not have nine key men for the Argentine match and other South American teams have also lost players due to the decision of some European clubs not to let their players travel to the continent.
They would have to quarantine on the return leg, and the clubs don’t want to lose their players for the next league games.
Aston Villa said Buendia and Martinez had agreed to return to their club after Brazil’s game and will miss Argentina’s game against Bolivia on Tuesday. However, the Argentine Football Association said they would play all three games during qualifying.
Brazil currently leads the South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022, with a six-point lead over Argentina’s runner-up. The top four finishers are automatically ranked in Qatar.