FIFA ordered the Brazilian Football Confederation to pay 500,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to 2.8 million riyals. The fine was applied as a penalty to the match between Brazil and Argentina, which was suspended after the National Health Monitoring Agency (Anvisa) entered the stadium to demand the deportation of four Argentines who had violated health measures against Covid-19. Argentines were also fined, but in much smaller amounts. Although they violated the protocols and caused the game to be suspended, they received a penalty of 200,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to 1.1 million riyals.
FIFA’s interpretation of the difference in the amount of the penalty is explained by “a series of deficiencies in the responsibilities and/or obligations of the parties involved”. According to the entity, the multi-million dollar fine in Brazil is linked to “violations in the security system”. As the host team, the Brazilian Football Confederation must ensure the performance of the match between the selections. As for Argentina, FIFA claims “failure to comply with its obligations in terms of order, security, preparation and participation in the match”. Also according to FIFA, there is an additional fine for each association of 50,000 Swiss francs (281,000 Brazilian reais) for the suspension of the match, with a total of 3.1 million reais owed to the Brazilian Football Confederation and 1.4 million reais to the AFC.
Also in accordance with the decision, a valid Qatar Cup qualifier match must be played at the date and place specified by FIFA. Brazil and Argentina lead the South American qualifiers and have already qualified for the World Cup, which begins in November.
confusion
The September 5 match was suspended 10 minutes before the first half after Anvisa agents entered the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo, to deport four players from the Argentine national team who broke the quarantine.
According to the agency, the players Giovanni Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez, Emiliano Buendia and Christian Romero failed to comply with the health measures in force in the country at the time. The athletes were working in the UK and Anvisa requested a 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving from there. Three of the four novice players were selected.
Anvisa’s president, Antonio Barra Torres, said the four players lied in the traveler’s report, which is required by the health authority to enter the country during the pandemic. The four players said that they did not pass through the UK, South Africa and India, but that it was shown in the passport that they passed through the UK. They only found it between last night and today. We got to this point because everything geared towards Anvisa didn’t come true. Players had to be isolated for the deportation, but this did not materialize. They moved to the stadium and entered the field.
In the decision issued on Monday, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended the four players for two matches each “for failing to comply with FIFA’s international protocol to return to football”.
