JAKARTA - FIFA is investigating the postponement of the World Cup qualifying match between Brazil and Argentina. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the incident "insane".
Brazilian health authorities took to the pitch 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 line-up when Anvisa's Brazilian health service officers came on to stop the game about five minutes after kick-off.
Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia also recently arrived from England but was in the stands.
COMEÇOU! Rolando para o clássico na Neo Quimica Arena ball. Vamos, Brazil!!🇧🇷 0x0 | #BRAxARG #Eliminatorias pic.twitter.com/aYTilYl03i
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) September 5, 2021
Anvisa said Brazil's regulations state that immigrants from the UK, South Africa or India are prohibited from entering Brazil for 14 days unless they are Brazilian citizens or permanently reside in Brazil.
FIFA said it had received a report from the match officials and was gathering further information.
"The information will be analyzed by the competent disciplinary body and a decision will be taken at a later time," FIFA said.
In a video address to the general assembly of the European Club Association, Infantino called the situation a reminder of the difficulties this organization has faced during the pandemic.
"We saw what happened in the game between Brazil and Argentina, the two greatest teams in South America. Officials, police, security officers entered the pitch after a few minutes the game had just started, to get rid of some players, it's crazy but we have to face these challenges, the problems that have arisen during the COVID crisis," Infantino said.
Alejandro Martinez, Emiliano's brother, said the players would fly from Argentina to Croatia Monday evening to avoid mandatory ten-day hotel quarantine on their return to the red-listed England.
"They will go to Croatia to undergo quarantine there and then to England," Alejandro told radio station La Oral Deportiva. "That's the conditions Aston Villa has designed."
The Tottenham players traveled after the game without the permission of their club and website football.london said both players were expected to be fined upon returning to England.
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