Brazil World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina suspended after Anvisa storm pitch to deport Argentina stars
Brazil World Cup clash with Argentina has been suspended until further notice after the former’s health officials and police storm the pitch to deport four of Lionel Scaloni’s men.
The two South American giants meet in second game of the South American World Cup qualifiers at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo but the game has been suspended on the 12’ minutes due to health and police official interference.
Prior to the game, the Brazilian authorities had reportedly ordered Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Gio Lo Celso and Emiliano Buendia to leave the country. They are Premier League players and there was allegedly a problem with paperwork due to coronavirus restrictions.
It’s understood that according to Brazil’s covid-19 protocols, players who play in the Premier League need at last two weeks (14 days quarantine) upon arrival; those four Argentine stars could not have that required days of quarantine; supposedly they quarantined lower than the 14 days.
However, Argentina had a positive news before kick-off after the CONMEBOL spoke with the Brazilian authorities to allow Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Gio Lo Celso and Emiliano Buendia stay in Brazil and play tonight’s game.
It’s unknown whether Brazil gave the green light or the other way round with Anvisa acting strictly after kick-off.
The three of Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero and Gio Lo Celso were named in Scaloni’s XI for against Brazil while Emiliano Buendia didn’t make the match-day.
Having the game started on a high note, The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency popularly known as Anvisa swerved CONMEBOL’s request to storm the Neo Quimica Arena stopping the game in attempt to send out three of Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Gio Lo Celso who in the context above are ineligible to feature in the game as per coronavirus protocols in Brazil.
Emiliano Martinez plays for Aston Villa while Cristian Romero and Gio Lo Celso feature for Tottenham Hotspur but the former is on loan from Serie A side Atalanta. The 14-day quarantine protocol is similar in UK preventing Brazil to call 9 of the stars ahead of this game.
With the walk of Anvisa on the pitch, Argentina players lead by Lionel Messi left the pitch to the dressing room while the first half has ended.
The CONMEBOL is expected to release a statement to communicate the outcome of the match.
“As much as I disagree with most of what the Brazilian authorities have been doing, they are right in this,” reaction from The Guardian’s Brazilian friend Mateus.
“When the Argentinian players based on England entered Brazil, they were required to quarantine, and were informed by authorities they should. When they went to the match, it became clear they had not complied with the quarantine rules, so the authorities went to the stadium to stop the match.
“As you mentioned before match, it was widely announced before the match, and the Brazilian authorities notify AFA. They thought they could get away with after the match had started.”
To justify Brazil’s stance, they were not allowed to call 9 players that act in England due to UK’s quarantine rules,” says André Silva. “The Argentinian players did not comply to Brazil’s (terrible) quarantine rules. Everyone should comply to the rules, don’t matter how bad they are.”
I accept all this but how was this match allowed to kick-off, that is my issue. Do not get me wrong, Argentina have been foolish for taking these players if rules do not allow reveals the Guardian.
