Mueez Ajao
– FIFA have ruled that the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be played at a venue and date to be determined after it was originally abandoned due to alleged coronavirus-related breaches.
– The Sept. 5 match in Sao Paulo was suspended by the referee after seven minutes with the score 0-0 after Brazilian health officials walked onto the pitch to remove four England-based Argentina players that allegedly did not comply with coronavirus restrictions.
– Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) have been fined a total of CHF 550,000 ($593,391) by FIFA’s disciplinary commission for “infringements related to order and security,” and for the abandonment.
Also Read: World Cup: Brazil/Argentina match stopped few minutes after kickoff
– The Argentina Football Association (AFA) were fined CHF 250,000 ($269,881) for failing to “comply with its obligations in relation to order and security, the preparation of and its participation in the match,” and for the abandonment.
– England-based Argentina players Emiliano Buendia, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero have all been handed two-match bans in international fixtures for “not complying with the FIFA Return to Football International Match Protocol”.
– Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) stated at the time that they had followed the health protocol of South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL, and believed they should be awarded three points.
– The CBF had criticised Brazilian health authority Anvisa for not acting sooner and “waiting until the game had started.”
– Anvisa stated at the time that the situation was “a serious health risk” and “for this reason, local health authorities ordered to immediately quarantine the players.”
– CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez was in favour of the game being played again.
– Both sides are unbeaten and have already qualified for Qatar 2022. Brazil are top the group, four points clear of nearest rivals Argentina, after 15 games.
– Brazil are back in action on March 24 when they host Chile, while Argentina take on Venezuela.
