The World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil was suspended earlier today after four Premier League players were accused of lying on their immigration forms and breaking the Coronavirus regulations.
Apparently, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Emiliano Buendia failed to comply with the entry regulations for travellers.
Those who have passed through United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, South Africa or India in the last 14 days are not allowed to enter Brazil.
The four Argentine players allegedly informed the immigration officers that they had not been to the United Kingdom or another country that is on Brazil’s Red list in the last two weeks. Ideally, the players should have quarantined or left the country for flouting the entry regulations.
The Brazilian medical officials stormed onto the pitch at the start of the game to reprimand the four players for providing false information.
The Argentine squad had to be escorted off the pitch by the federal police while the Brazilians stayed on and completed their training drills.
A statement issued by the South American football confederation has explained that the referee and the match officials will file a report to the FIFA disciplinary committee and decide what happens next.
The statement read: “The referee and the match official will take a report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and they will decide what steps to take.”
Brazilian health agency Anvisa said: “Anvisa considers the situation a serious health risk, and therefore advised the local health authorities to determine the immediate quarantine of players, who are prevented from participating in any activity and must be prevented from remaining in Brazilian territory.”
