SAO PAULO (AP): A World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina was suspended amid chaotic scenes after local health officials walked onto the pitch on Sunday in a bid to remove three players who didn’t comply with coronavirus restrictions.
The match featuring Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar was stopped in the 7th minute because of the extraordinary interruption. The referee eventually suspended the game with the score at 0-0 after players, coaches, football officials and local authorities argued for several minutes on the field at NeoQuimica Arena.
The referee stopped the game after a health representative entered the field and tried to stop the Argentine player. Argentina have four players playing in the English Premier League and anyone coming from the UK to enter Brazil has to stay in quarantine for 14 days. However, the Argentine player said he should be deported for breaking the rules.
As per the rules, these four players have to leave the country or stay in quarantine for 14 days. Within an hour of Argentina’s departure, the Brazilian players did not leave the field in the hope of starting the game. But when the game could not start, the referee declared the game canceled.
According to the BBC, FIFA’s disciplinary committee will now decide on the game based on the details written by the referee in his official report.
Last Updated: September 21, 2078
