ZURICH, Switzerland
Fifa has opened an investigation into the abandonment of the Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier with its president Gianni Infantino labelling the events "crazy" while Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to take disciplinary action against their Argentine players.
Brazilian health authorities intervened on Sunday after
accusing four Argentine Premier League players of violating the country's
Covid-19 quarantine rules.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham
duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as
part of Argentina's team when officials from Brazil's health regulator Anvisa
walked on to the field and stopped the game around five minutes after kickoff.
Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia had also
travelled from the UK and was in the stands.
Anvisa said Brazilian rules make clear that travellers who have been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous 14 days are forbidden from entering, unless they are Brazilian citizens or have permanent residency.
It said Argentine players had made false statements about
their previous whereabouts on immigration forms.
Brazil's Federal Police said on Monday they had opened a
formal inquiry into the actions of the Argentine players, who, a spokesperson
said, were deported.
"We can confirm an investigation has begun into the
possible crime of supplying false information," a spokesperson said.
"Yesterday, the players were notified they must leave the country, which
is the regular procedure, and statements from them were taken."
The Argentine squad left Brazil together on Sunday night
and flew back to Buenos Aires.
Fifa said it had received reports from match officials.
"The information will be analysed by the competent
disciplinary bodies and a decision will be taken in due course," Fifa said
in a statement.
Infantino, in a video address to the European Club
Association's general assembly, said the situation was a reminder of the
difficulties faced during the pandemic.
"We saw what happened with the game between Brazil
and Argentine, two of South America's most glorious teams. Some officials,
police, security officials entered the pitch after a few minutes of the game to
take away some players - it is crazy but we need to deal with these challenges,
these issues which come on top of the Covid crisis," Infantino said.
Alejandro Martinez, brother of Emiliano, said the players
were due to fly from Argentina to Croatia later on Monday in order to avoid the
10-day mandatory hotel quarantine on return to the UK from a red-list country.
"They will travel to Croatia to do their quarantine
there and then go to England," Alejandro told radio station La Oral
Deportiva. "That was the conditions set by Aston Villa."
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said Martinez
and Buendia had been released from the national team, meaning they will not
take part in Friday's qualifier against Bolivia.
The Tweet from the AFA did not make reference to the two
Tottenham players who travelled to the game without the permission of their
club. The website football.london said the pair could expect fines on their
return to England.
Villa and Tottenham did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment