Sunday September 5th, sent shockwaves through the soccer world and its fan base when a political and health altercation burst forth amongst Brazilian Health Officials and the Argentine soccer team during the qualifying match for the World Cup 2022 in Brazil Sao Paulo. The already controversial sport, due to the many problems that previously prompted multiple issues between FIFA and the World Cup Organisation; with issues arising which involved particular players from the United States who had tested positive for Covid 19 or others who had violated specific team policies amongst many other rumours, thus, highlighting this situation on a larger scale which only tarnished the image of football further. Additionally, many teams travelling to South America have been handicapped by the 14 days that is a mandatory regulation on entry to Brazil which has seen many teams not be able to play specific matches in South America.
Argentina and Brazil were set to play one of the most world-renowned qualifiers until just 4 minutes after kick-off Brazilian Health Officials from the National Health Surveillance Agency also known as (ANVISA) stormed onto the field and seized the match. Their intent was to arrest and deport four specific players who had subsequently ignored the strict Covid 19 rules that Brazil has in place, in order to protect their civilians. However, was this the right way to handle the situation? Could authorities not have handled the issue at an earlier stage and before kick-off?
The commotion caused great dispute amongst both teams who were involved in the altercation, as all players and spectators watched in disbelief worldwide, which ultimately saw the Argentine team retreating to the locker room leaving the Brazilian team to entertain the stunned crowd through a practice session. Could this have been the only way for Brazil to emphasise their regulations to even those top-class Soccer stars, sending a strong message that no one shall be exempt from following their Covid 19 protocols?
Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso, along with Aston Villa plyers Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia were said to have intentionally falsified their official health declaration form on entry into the country of Brazil, omitting that they had not been in the United Kingdom over the last 14 days. However, it was disclosed that the players were indeed in the United Kingdom, as they had played for their respective clubs just a week before when they had played for their English club teams in the Premier League. Decisions to suspend the game were made by the referee who had said that this decision was made by FIFA as they were of the higher authority. Political debates have sparked form various spokesman such as the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Brazilian Presidents son, bodies from CONMEBOL and FIFA as well as from first class players such as Messi and Neymar. Was there any benefit in making the decision to suspend the match? Could they have let the game continue and gather the accused players after the match?
Brazil Covid Protocols state that travellers coming from South Africa, India and the United kingdom are prohibited to enter the county within 14 days of their visits to these specific countries unless travellers hold a valid permanent residency or citizenship and those on arrival into Brazil had mandatory quarantine for 14 days or had to return to their country of origin. External sources say that The South America Confederation (CONMEBOL) had initially exempt the 4 players from quarantine due to the act that they were leaving their club bubble and entering their national team bubble which was said to have been a safe zone for the above mentioned, but the Brazilian Government disproved of these actions and were able to override this decision.
The question is? Why did Brazilian authorities respond to the situation sooner? Why did they wait until game day and worse- until kick off to one of the biggest international games? Many fans and associated teams are bewildered and of course have many unanswered questions. Millions questioned why the investigation had not taken place before the game and major stars such as Lionel Messi were perplexed by the events that had taken place and was heard to say “Why did they start the game and stop it. We have been here for 3 days, why could they have not told us”, as well as commentator Galvao Bueno saying “we have been humiliated on a world stage”.
Despite other sources stating arguing as to why there was no action taken before, according to Brazilian authorities, they had issued multiple warnings to the Argentine Team in regards to the Covid Regulations. Sources say that ANVISA had warned the Argentine Team days prior to the match that these four players could not leave the hotel as they had to self- isolate quarantine as part of regulations; in which these rules were blatantly ignored. ANVISA had also endured 2 days of multiple meetings in order to resolve the situation and had failed as there was no co-operation from the Argentine Team. Thus, it left them no other option but to invade their game and approach the four players who had apparently abandoned specific rules. Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni, in response to ANVISA had stated that “the team was not told that that could not hold the British players”. This left much debate amongst the many parties that were involved and questions as to whose statements are valid and true- thus leaving this scandal an ongoing speculation.
References
Lev, J. (2021, September 6). World Cup Qualifier Suspended. Retrieved from www.cnn.com
Marca. (2021, September 5). Brazil and Argentina Suspended to deport 4 players. Retrieved from www.marca.com
Panja, T. (2021, September 6). Brazil and Arentina Match Stopped. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com
Rubio, C. (2021, September 6). World Wide Scandal at Brazil and Argentina Match Over Covid 19 requirements. Retrieved from www.atalayar.com
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