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The Argentinian players left the field, shortly after the entry of the health authorities to stop the game
The Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier was called off just minutes after it kicked off on Sunday after Brazilian health officials objected to the participation of three Argentinian players, who they say have violated the quarantine rules.
The visitors left Sao Paulo’s “Corinthians” stadium after officials intervened to stop the match.
The dramatic scene came hours after Brazilian health officials announced that four Argentinian players – who play for English Premier League clubs – should be subject to quarantine, according to rules followed in Brazil to fight the epidemic of Corona.
Although the names of the four have not been mentioned, the players from the Premier League clubs are Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, Giovanni Lo Celso and Christian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur.
Martinez, Lo Celso and Romero started the game in Sao Paulo, while Emiliano Buendia was not in the starting XI of the Argentina national team.
A date for the replay of the match has not yet been set, and Argentina are preparing for their next World Cup qualifying game, at home against Bolivia, on Friday (September 10th).
The International Football Association Board (FIFA) confirmed the suspension of the match, adding that “more details will follow in due course”.
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi (center) sought a solution after initially playing
About an hour after the match was over, as the Brazilian players set up an impromptu training session on the pitch, the South American Football Association (CONMEBOL) said in a statement: “By decision of the referee of the match, the match organized by FIFA between Brazil and Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers He was suspended. “
“The referee and the match commissioner will report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which will determine the steps to be followed. These procedures are in full compliance with the regulations in force.”
Under Brazilian rules, visitors who have traveled to Britain within 14 days of entering the country must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
“We have reached this point because everything that has been published by Anfisa since the first moment has not been respected,” said Antonio Barra Torres, director of the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anfissa) , quoted by Agence France-Presse.
“(The four players) were ordered to remain isolated while awaiting the expulsion, but they did not comply. They went to the stadium and entered the stadium in a series of violations,” the official added. .
“At no time were we warned that we could not play”
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Brazilian players started impromptu training session after match suspension
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was disappointing that a decision was not made before the game started.
He added: “It makes me very sad. I am not looking for any accused. If something has happened or has not happened, now is not the time to make this intervention.”
“(The game) should have been a party for everyone, to enjoy the best players in the world. I would like the people of Argentina to understand that as a coach I have to defend my players.”
“At no time were we informed that they could not play the game. We wanted to play the game, and the Brazilian footballers too.”
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodriguez, criticized health officials for the timing of their intervention.
“I’m sorry for all the sports fans who wanted to watch the game on TV,” he told Brazilian Sports Network.
“With all due respect to Anfisa, they could have solved this earlier and not have to wait for the game to start.”
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