(Football news) The World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina was abandoned at Sao Paulo’s Neo Quimica Arena when Brazilian health authorities intervened shortly after kickoff for the breach of quarantine rules and COVID-19 protocols by four Argentinian players.

Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa) and Cristian Romero (Tottenham) were accused of providing ‘false information’ upon their entry in Brazil about spending time in the United Kingdom 14 days prior to their arrival in Brazil. According to Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the four players were expected to remain isolated while awaiting deportation but their failure to comply combined with taking part in the game were serious breaches of Brazil’s COVID-19 regulations.

According to a government order dating June 23rd, foreign tourists from the United Kingdom, India and South Africa were prohibited from entering Brazil to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and it’s many variants. The agency had apparently forewarned the Argentinian delegations that the four players in question must play no role in the game and must remain isolated.

"By decision of the match referee, the match organized by FIFA between Brazil and Argentina for the qualifiers for the World Cup is suspended," CONMEBOL said in a statement.

"The referee and the match commissioner will submit a report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which will determine the steps to follow. These procedures adhere strictly to current regulations."

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