Having Stopped Because Of COVID-19, FIFA Asks Brazil And Argentina To Hold Matches Again

Marquinhos (left) of Brazil fights for the ball with Argentine footballer Lautaro Martinez (right) during the 2022 World Cup qualifying match for the South American zone, at the San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium, San Juan, Argentina, Tuesday (16/11/2021). (Intermediate Doc)

JAKARTA - World football's governing body, FIFA, on Monday asked the Brazilian and Argentine teams to resume the World Cup qualifying match in Sao Paulo which was suspended in September last year due to alleged violations of the COVID-19 quarantine by the visitors.

Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch seven minutes into the match on September 5 between the two South American giants at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica Arena, halting the match and sparking a brawl involving team officials and players.

"After a thorough investigation of various factual elements and taking into account the applicable regulations, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that the match must be restarted at a date and location to be determined by FIFA," FIFA said in a statement on Monday, as reported by AFP.

The two nations are unbeaten in the South American zone qualifiers and will be sure to finish in the top two in the 10-team group, although both have three games to play, including the rematch. The top four teams qualify automatically for the World Cup in Qatar.

Hours before the drama on the pitch in September, Brazil's National Health Administration (ANVISA) said four Argentine players based in English clubs at the time should be placed in "immediate quarantine" for violating COVID-19 protocols.

According to ANVISA, Premier League players Cristian Romero and later club-mate Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham, and Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia - provided "false information" upon entering Brazil.

Monday, FIFA said that "the waiver of the match stems from some of the shortcomings of the parties involved in their respective responsibilities".

FIFA banned four Argentine players for two matches each for "not complying with the FIFA International Football Match Protocol."

FIFA also imposed a series of fines on the two national football federations.

The Brazilian Football Association had to pay 500,000 Swiss Francs (540,000 dollars, 477,000 euros) for "offences relating to order and security".

The Argentine Football Association was fined 200,000 Swiss Francs for its "failure to fulfill its obligations relating to order and security, its preparation and participation in matches."

The Brazilian and Argentine Football Federations were also fined 50,000 Swiss Francs each for ignoring matches.