Authorities attempted to detain former Reading FC goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during Argentina's World Cup qualifier with Brazil on Sunday.
Federal police and health agency officers interrupted the South American classic at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo after six minutes of play in an operation that investigates the irregular entry of four players of Argentina into the country.
Brazil's health authorities claimed just hours before kick-off that four England-based players for Argentina had to quarantine and objected to the participation of those players.
Brazilian rules state that visitors who have been in the UK in the 14 days before entering the country must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival into the country.
Although not officially named, the four England-based players representing Argentina were Martinez and Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa and Tottenhma Hotspur Giovani lo Celso and Cristian Romero.
The game was susequently abandoned.
🚨⚽️ | BREAKING: Giovanni Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez have been detained by Brazilian Authorities during the Brazil vs Argentina match after failing to comply with the country’s quarantine rules pic.twitter.com/OCXEPB0PwX
— Football For All (@FootballlForAll) September 5, 2021
The Argentinian FA released a statement following the suspension:
The statement said: "The Argentine Football Association expresses its deep discomfort at the suspension of the meeting between the Argentine National Team and the Brazilian National Team in São Paulo.
"Like the CBF, the AFA is surprised by the actions of Anvisa [Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency] once the game has started.
"It should be noted that the Albiceleste Delegation was in Brazilian territory since September 3 at 8am, complying with all current sanitary protocols regulated by Conmebol for the normal development of the Qualifiers heading to Qatar 2022.
"Following the report from the Conmebol officials and the match referee, the information will be forwarded to the competent FIFA body in accordance with current regulations.
"Football should not experience these kinds of episodes that undermine the sportsmanship of such an important competition."
It is not currently known whether the match will be replayed or who will be awarded the victory.
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