The match between the national teams of Brazil and Argentina as part of the selection for the 2022 World Cup was marked by a grand scandal that could only occur during the coronavirus pandemic. The game was interrupted shortly after the starting whistle due to the fact that four Argentine players were suspected of violating border crossing rules and ignoring mandatory quarantines.
The meeting between the two major South American teams is a big event in itself for football, and this time it has received special attention. Firstly, recently Brazil and Argentina played in the America's Cup final - and then Lionel Messi's team won in foreign territory. Secondly, the two teams are leading in the qualifying tournament standings, with Brazil still not losing a single point. Thirdly, the fans were interested to see how Messi and Neymar, again representing the same club, play against each other in Sao Paulo. Due to the increased interest in the game, it was even started at a convenient time for European viewers.
But the football festival did not take place. Already in the sixth minute, excitement began at the substitutes' benches, although nothing happened on the field, because of which one could be indignant. Chief referee Jesus Valenzuele had to interrupt the game to restore order, but he failed. Several people entered the field, among whom were not only the coaches and staff of the national teams, but also people outside the match. A couple of minutes later, the Argentine national team went to the locker room, and only Messi remained on the field, who, together with Neymar, tried to find out what caused the proceedings.
Soon sensational news spread around the world media.
It turned out that representatives of the Brazilian National Agency for Sanitary Inspection (Anvisa) entered the field.
They intended to detain four Argentine footballers for failing to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine after arriving from the UK.
They talked about Aston Villa players Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, as well as Tottenham players Cristiano Romero and Giovani Lo Celso.
There was no doubt that they had ignored the requirements of Brazilian law - all four had taken part in the English Premier League matches the week before.
At first, the Argentine national team denied possible violations.
The President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) Claudio Tapia assured that his players complied with all the protocol requirements.
“There can be no talk of any lie, because all tournaments in South America are held in accordance with the same sanitary regulations.
The health authorities in each country approved a protocol that we followed flawlessly.
What has happened today is unfortunate for football and creates a very bad image for the game.
Four people took to the pitch to interrupt the game and make an official statement, ”Tapia said.
However, the head of Anvisa, Antonio Barra Torres, said that the Argentine footballers, when entering Brazil from Venezuela, where they played the previous match, did not provide information that they had been in the UK before.
He noted that the players need to be deported.
“When filling out the declaration on the state of health, Argentine footballers did not say that in the last 14 days they were in the UK, one of the countries that are subject to restrictions on entry to Brazil. This declaration has not been submitted. They were supposed to provide true data, but they did not. We realized this as soon as they arrived in Brazil. We told the players that they must remain isolated without taking part in the match. But they didn't. If they had followed national rules, none of this would have happened, ”Ole quotes Torres.
According to TyC Sports, the police intended to detain the players at the hotel before the start of the match, but the parties managed to reach an agreement that the game would take place, after which the Argentine national team went to the stadium.
But then law enforcement officers nevertheless interrupted the game that had already begun.
Interestingly, all four Argentines from the Premier League were not supposed to go to the national team at all on the orders of the league.
But they agreed with the clubs that they will play only two games, and then they will leave the quarantine, which is mandatory for those who have visited South America, and will miss the next round of the English Championship.
At the same time, not a single player from the Premier League was in Brazil.
As a result, they did not detain the players.
The entire Argentine national team left the stadium and headed to the airport, from where they immediately flew home.
The International Football Federation (FIFA), under whose auspices the match was held, announced the suspension of the game indefinitely.
“FIFA can confirm that following a decision by officials, the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina has been suspended.
More detailed information will be provided later, ”FIFA said.
AFA, following the results of the incident, noted that the players were in Brazil for the third day, and during this time it was possible to settle the differences without bringing the situation to a halt in the match.
The organization reaffirmed that the players complied with the medical regulations of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
“AFA is deeply disappointed with the suspension of the Argentina-Brazil meeting in Sao Paulo. Like the Brazilian Football Confederation, AFA is surprised by Anvisa's actions after the start of the game. It should be noted that the delegation of the Argentine national team was in Brazil from 8 am on September 3, observing all the current sanitary protocols provided by CONMEBOL for the normal conduct of qualifying competitions for the 2022 World Cup. After the report of the representatives of CONMEBOL and the referee of the meeting, the materials will be transferred to the competent body of FIFA in accordance with the current rules. Football should not live on episodes that undermine the sporting spirit of such an important competition, ”said AFA.
The head coach of the Argentine national team, Lionel Scaloni, also complained that law enforcement agencies were unable to report the violation on the part of his players in time and prevent a scandal.
He noted that prior to the arrival of the Anvisa staff on the field, his team had not been charged with any violation of Brazilian law.
“I am here to let our country know what happened.
This situation upsets me a lot.
I don’t want to look for the culprit.
Whether something happened or not, it was not the right time to intervene.
Today was supposed to be a holiday for everyone to enjoy the game of the best football players in the world.
I want the people of Argentina to understand that I, as a coach, want to protect my players.
We have never been informed that these players will not be able to play.
We wanted to play, the Brazilians too, ”said Scaloni.