FIFA regretted on Monday the suspension of the Brazil-Argentina match, on Sunday after five minutes of play due to the intervention of the Brazilian health authorities, and will make a “decision” after its disciplinary authorities examine what happened.
“FIFA regrets the scenes that preceded the suspension of the match between Brazil and Argentina, preventing millions of fans from enjoying a match between two of the world’s most important footballing nations,” said the Zurich-based body.
«The first official reports have been sent to FIFA. This information will be analyzed by the competent disciplinary bodies and a decision will be made, “he added.
The summit of South American football, the superclassic Brazil-Argentina, was suspended as soon as it began due to an alleged violation of the anticovid protocol by four Argentine players.
A group of officials from the Brazilian health agency (Anvisa) entered the field to enforce a deportation order against goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Cristian Romero, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and forward Emiliano Buendía.
The four Argentine footballers, who play for Aston Villa and Tottenham in the Premier League, are accused of having violated the anticovid protocol when entering the country. Now they must be deported, fined and punished, according to the entity’s director-president, Antonio Barra Torres.
“We got to this point because everything that Anvisa directed, from the first moment, was not fulfilled. They were directed to remain isolated while awaiting deportation, but they did not comply, “he said.
Conmebol announced the suspension of the classic, the first since Albiceleste beat Brazil in the final of the Copa América-2021 at Maracana in July.
The presidents of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, and the Argentine Soccer Association (AFA), Claudio Tapia, were surprised by the suspension. AFP (HN)