A scene that could only take place in 2021 unfolded during Sunday’s World Cup qualifier match between Argentina and Brazil, as several players were detained for violating COVID-19 regulations.
The Associated Press reported prior to the match that four players from the English Premier League were ordered by Brazilian health officials to “return to the country of origin” and quarantine. The players were Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, who play for Aston Villa, and Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, who play for Tottenham.
The players apparently ignored the order and started for Argentina on Sunday. When health officials were alerted, the match was halted and the four players were taken off the field.
Brazilian Health Authority officials potentially trying to deport @Argentina players
Players going back into the tunnel #BRAvsARG #WCQ #CONMEBOL pic.twitter.com/gIENNTjfZz— fuboTV (@fuboTV) September 5, 2021
Anvisa, Brazil’s health agency, said the players told officials they had not recently been to the United Kingdom, which is on Brazil’s list of high-risk nations.
“Anvisa considers this situation to be a serious health risk and therefore has guided local health authorities to impose immediate quarantine of the players, who are stopped from taking any activity and must be stopped from remaining in Brazilian territory,” the agency said.
Brazilian rules require visitors who have been in the United Kingdom within 14 days of entering Brazil to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving. Anvisa said the players gave “false” information.
Arengtina coach Lionel Scaloni said his team was not notified that certain players were instructed to quarantine.
Argentina national team coach: "It makes me very sad. I'm not looking for a culprit. If something happened or did not happen, it was not the time to make that intervention."
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 5, 2021
Lionel Scaloni: "At no time were we notified that they could not play the match. We wanted to play the match, the Brazilian players too."
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 5, 2021
Argentina star Lionel Messi called the situation “an embarrassment.”
Lionel Messi to Brazilian health officials: "It's an embarrassment. We have been in Brazil for 3 days and nothing happened."
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 5, 2021
The match was suspended, and it does not appear it will resume.
The Premier League has discouraged player from taking part in international matches, as they will need to quarantine for 10 days upon returning.
Brazil led the South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022 heading into Sunday. They were six points ahead of second-place Argentina. The top four qualify automatically for the World Cup.
