Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
Brazil’s World Cup qualifier with Argentina erupted into chaos after ANVISA personnel and Brazilian Federal Police invaded the pitch and stopped the match to detain four Premier League players, who allegedly lied about completing quarantine upon entry to the country. The storm has been brewing for the past few days with Tottenham duo Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero plus Aston Villa pair Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, right at the centre of the controversy…
Two hours before kick-off, the Brazilian health authorities demanded the immediate deportation of Argentina’s four Premier League players, three of which were named in the starting XI.
It’s understood any non-Brazilian who has been in the United Kingdom within the past two weeks has to complete a mandatory 14-day period of isolation upon arrival in the country.
Lo Celso, Romero, Martinez and Buendia skipped quarantine three days ago, under the impression they qualify under elite sportsman but it’s believed the rules apply to anybody travelling from the UK.
All four players were snapped together on their private jet to South America earlier this week.
The Argentinian FA, who have recently been in heated discussions with Premier League clubs over the handling of their international players, were under the impression the situation would not be a problem but there has clearly been a huge misinterpretation of the strict rules that must be followed.
Brazil vs Argentina
Brazil vs Argentina was stopped after health chiefs invaded the pitch (Image: ESPN)
That’s why Lo Celso, Romero and Martinez were all named as starters but shortly after kick-off, the match transcended into utter bedlam.
Seven minutes into the game, ANVISA personnel and the Brazilian Federal Police stormed the pitch, attempting to remove the wanted players from the field with view to immediate deportation.
Following a huge commotion, Argentina then walked off the field of play, led by captain Lionel Messi, who at one point was captured with his head in his hands.
Meanwhile, ANVISA personnel were still trying to stop the four wanted players as they made their way back to the dressing room.
Source: Opera News
