Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier suspended after health officials try to deport 4 players

The World Cup qualifier for Brazil and Argentina ended in wild fashion as health officials stormed the field after players allegedly lied about quarantine.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the world of soccer throws something truly new at your face.

On Sunday, Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil was suspended when Brazilian health officials entered the field to detain a group of Argentine players who allegedly lied to get out of quarantine rules.

Brazil and Argentina’s World Cup qualifier was suspended

According to ESPN, three Argentina players based in the UK gave “false” information on immigration forms while entering Brazil. Reporting suggests they tried to claim they hadn’t been to the UK recently, which is patently untrue and incredibly easy to fact check for players who are regularly captured on television in England.

Brazilian COVID-19 protocols require travelers from the UK to quarantine for 14 days. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero play in the English Premier League. The latter three were sought by the health officials as Buendia wasn’t playing.

The stoppage came in the seventh minute of play between the two teams.

Even before the game, Brazilian authorities had raised concerns about the players, but they were allowed to travel to the game. The Argentine team arrived three days ago. Obviously, they wouldn’t have had time to quarantine.

This is unprecedented stuff brought to you by pandemic conditions. Somewhere along the way, Argentina either misunderstood the rules or blatantly tried to curtail them. As it was, Brazil was missing several players because Premier League clubs wouldn’t release their players on international duty. Quarantine rules coming back into the UK would have meant them missing multiple games on the other end.