Corona cancellation by authorities: The game that did not take place

Neymar looked in disbelief, Lionel Messi no longer seemed to understand the world: In a quick action, Brazil's health authority Anvisa interrupted the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina on Sunday evening (local time) due to violations of corona regulations.

Images of the unprecedented incident on Sunday, in which several players from the Argentine national team were taken from the field a few minutes after kick-off, went around the world.

The Brazilian Football Association (CBF) said it was “absolutely surprised” at the timing of the measure. From his point of view, Anvisa could have acted much more appropriately - and did so in the days leading up to the game. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced that the Albiceleste delegation had been in Brazil since September 3 at 8 a.m. and complied with all health protocols prescribed by the South American Football Association Conmebol.

Six minutes after the game kicked off in São Paulo, employees of the health authority took the field and brought the Argentinians Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso, who play for English clubs, off the field.

Then the other Argentine players left the pitch, while the Brazilians stayed - they later started a training session as a substitute.

The federal police were waiting in front of the stadium to escort Argentina’s team.

The bus with the team took hours to leave.

“The date went down in history: September 5, 2021, Brazil-Argentina”, wrote the Brazilian portal “Globoesporte”.

"The game that didn't take place."

After the incident, the game was canceled.

“At the decision of the referee,” as Conmebol announced on Twitter.

The world football association FIFA announced a detailed statement.

There was initially no information about a catch-up date for the game or a possible loss of points for one of the teams.

Quarantine arranged

A few hours before the game, Anvisa had ordered quarantine for the four Argentine internationals Martínez and Emiliano Buendía (both Aston Villa) as well as Lo Celso and Romero (both Tottenham Hotspur).

Buendía was missing, Martínez, Romero and Lo Celso were in the starting line-up.

Anvisa justified its actions with reference to the Brazilian laws.

An unsuccessful attempt was made to quarantine the four national players concerned after a meeting with representatives of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Conmebol, CBF and the delegation of Argentina on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the players took part in training on Saturday evening.

On Sunday they informed the federal police and tried until the start of the game to enforce the quarantine that had been ordered in the meantime, to separate the four players from the team and to bring them to the airport.

"We are driving home."

According to the “TyC Sports” broadcaster, Martínez, Buendía, Romero and Lo Celso were able to fly back to Argentina with the national team on Sunday evening, but as deportees.

A photo from an airplane was posted on the national team's Twitter page, accompanied by the words: "We're going home."

"What happened today is regrettable for football," wrote the Argentine association president Claudio Tapia on Twitter.

“We wanted to play the game, and so did the Brazilian footballers.

It should have been a celebration for everyone to enjoy the best players in the world, ”said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who led the team to the Copa America.

The English Premier League clubs had refused to release players for matches in countries that are on the so-called Red Corona list of the British government, many of them in South America and Africa.

Brazil therefore had to do without nine professionals from the island.

Argentina, on the other hand, flew their quartet from England to qualify for the World Cup - and assumed they could build on them in all three World Cup qualifiers.

When entering from Caracas after the first qualifying game against Venezuela, the England professionals did not state, according to Anvisa, that they had been in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, South Africa or India in the past 14 days.

Foreign travelers who were there during this period are not allowed to enter Brazil due to the corona restrictions.

"Anvisa considers the situation to be a serious health risk and has therefore advised the local health authorities to order the immediate quarantine of players who are prohibited from participating in any activities," said a statement from the authority. In addition, the players should no longer be allowed to stay on Brazilian territory.