São Paulo (AP) – Corona vortex at Neymar, Lionel Messi and Co .: In a quick action, Brazil’s health authority Anvisa interrupted the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina on Sunday evening due to violations of corona regulations.
Six minutes after the game kicked off in São Paulo, four officials from the authority took to the field and brought the three Argentinian England pros Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso off the field. After that, the other Argentine players left the pitch while the Brazilians stayed.
The game was ultimately canceled
The game was then canceled. “On the decision of the referee, the match between Brazil and Argentina organized by FIFA will be suspended for the World Cup qualification,” said South American football association Conmebol on Twitter.
The world governing body FIFA would take a decision after its disciplinary committee received a report from the referee and the match commissioner. At first there was no information about a new game date or the possible loss of points for one of the teams.
“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 festival for everyone to enjoy the best players in the world, ”said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who led the team to the Copa America.
Quarantine arranged shortly before the game
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). Martínez, Romero and Lo Celso were in the starting line-up. Only Buendía was missing from the squad.
The quartet had come to Brazil with the Argentine national team from Caracas. Upon entry, the England professionals did not state, according to the 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 immediately quarantine 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. There are health laws, according to which all South American tournaments are played, said Tapia. “The health authorities in each country have approved a protocol that we have complied with in full,” emphasized the head of the association.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210905-99-106139 / 3
Tweet Argentine Football Association
– .
