FIFA has opened an investigation into the abandonment of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Argentina, with president Gianni Infantino labelling the events "crazy" and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly considering disciplinary action against their Argentinian players.
On Monday, Brazilian health authorities intervened, accusing four Argentinian Premier League players of violating the country's COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and Tottenham duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of Argentina's team, when officials from Brazil health regulator Anvisa stopped the game about five minutes after kickoff.
Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia had also travelled from the UK and was in the stands.
Anvisa says Brazilian rules state travellers who have been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous 14 days are forbidden from entering, unless they are Brazilian citizens or have permanent residency.
Anvisa claims Argentinian players made false statements about their previous whereabouts on immigration forms.
Brazil's Federal Police say they have opened a formal inquiry into the actions of the Argentinian players, who have been deported.
"We can confirm an investigation has begun into the possible crime of supplying false information," a spokesperson says.
"Yesterday, the players were notified they must leave the country, which is the regular procedure, and statements from them were taken."
The Argentinean squad have left Brazil and flown back to Buenos Aires.
FIFA says it had received reports from match officials.
"The information will be analysed by the competent disciplinary bodies and a decision will be taken in due course," FIFA said.
In a video address to the European Club Association's general assembly, Infantino says the situation is a reminder of the difficulties faced during the pandemic.
"We saw what happened with the game between Brazil and Argentina, two of South America's most glorious teams. Some officials, police, security officials entered the pitch after a few minutes of the game to take away some players," Infantino says.
"It is crazy, but we need to deal with these challenges - these issues which come on top of the COVID crisis."
Alejandro Martinez - brother of Emiliano - says the players are due to fly from Argentina to Croatia to avoid the 10-day mandatory hotel quarantine on return to the UK from a red-list country.
"They will travel to Croatia to do their quarantine there and then go to England," Alejandro has told radio station La Oral Deportiva. "That was the conditions set by Aston Villa."
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) says Martinez and Buendia have been released from the national team and will not take part in Friday's qualifier against Bolivia.
The AFA tweet did not reference the two Tottenham players who travelled to the game without their club's permission.
Villa and Tottenham did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reuters.
