Messi and Neymar talking with the health officials during the interruption in play / Photo: Collected
A World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina was suspended on Sunday after Brazilian health officials objected to the participation of three Argentine players, they say broke quarantine rules.
Officials with Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa walked on to the pitch at the Corinthians arena just minutes after kick-off to stop the game.
The players were surprised at the encroachment and the Argentines quickly left the field, although the two coaches, along with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazilian players, gathered at the side of the pitch a few moments later to discuss the stoppage.
“Why did they start the game and stop it after five minutes? We’ve been here at the stadium for an hour, they could have told us,” Messi said in comments heard on television.
Messi then returned to the dressing room and an hour after the game kicked off, the match was officially suspended.
“The referee and the match official will take a report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and they will decide what steps to take,” said a statement issued by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
The incident occurred just hours after Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa said four Argentine players must isolate and could not play in the match.
The three who started the match, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Emiliano Martinez, were among four Argentine players who play in England’s Premier League.
Under Brazilian rules, visitors who have been in the UK for 14 days before entering the country must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
Brazil currently lead the South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022, six points ahead of second-placed Argentina. The top four qualify automatically for Qatar.
ARR
