FIFA 'regrets' scenes in suspended Brazil vs. Argentina match

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - FIFA on Monday regretted chaotic scenes in Sunday's abandoned Brazil vs. Argentina match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers.

"FIFA regrets the scenes preceding the suspension of the match between Brazil and Argentina for the CONMEBOL qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2022 which prevented millions of fans from enjoying a match between two of the most important football nations in the world," the world football's governing body said in a Twitter statement.

Officials from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency Anvisa stormed Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo during the game in minute six to detain four Premier League players from Argentina -- Giovanni Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, Emiliano Buendia, and Emiliano Martinez -- who allegedly entered Brazil from the UK without complying with quarantine requirements.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi rebuked the Brazilian health authorities on the field, saying: "We have been here for three days and you’ve waited until the game started to tell us that we can’t play."

The first reports prepared by game officials about the match were sent to FIFA, the statement added.

"This information will be analyzed by the competent disciplinary bodies and a decision will be taken in due course," FIFA also noted.

As part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, Brazil mandates 14-day quarantine for passengers who have been in the UK, South Africa, and India in the 14 days prior to arriving in the South American country.

"Brazil has temporarily suspended all direct flights from or via the UK, and has temporarily suspended permission for foreigners who have been in the UK during the previous 14 days to board flights to Brazil," according to the UK government's website.