Brazil v Argentina World Cup qualifier to be replayed FIFA confirms

• FIFA has ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay the World Cup qualifier that was suspended in September.
• Four Argentina players have further been given a two-game ban by FIFA for breaching FIFA Return to Football International Match Protocol
• The date and venue of the rematch is yet to be announced by the football governing body.

The World Cup qualifier match between two of South America’s biggest football nations Brazil and Argentina that was suspended amid farcical scenes will be replayed, world governing body FIFA has confirmed on Monday evening.

September’s contest in Sao Paolo, Brazil was called off after Brazilian health officials entered the pitch early on due to an alleged breach of COVID-19 protocols insisting some Argentina players were not supposed to play the match due to various COVID-19 protocols.

The issue centred around visitors Argentina naming three Premier League players in their starting line-up, with travellers from the UK restricted entry to Brazil at the time of the match.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Emi Buendia, Tottenham Hotspurs’ Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso, were accused by the Brazilian government of providing false information on immigration forms.

The match between Brazil and Argentina in September 2021 was suspended and FIFA has now ordered the two nations to replay the match at a venue and date set to be announced. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

FIFA launched an investigation at the time and, five months on, a verdict was announced on Monday, February 14.

As well as ordering the match to be replayed at a location and date to be set by FIFA, Martinez, Buendia, Romero and Lo Celso have been banned for two games for breaching Brazil’s COVID-19 protocols.

The governing body says the suspension is “for not complying with the FIFA Return to Football International Match Protocol”.

Brazil have also been fined 550,000 Swiss francs – the equivalent to £439,225 or $593,542 – and Argentina 250,000 Swiss francs for causing a fracas on live TV in a match overseen by FIFA.

South American heavyweights Brazil and Argentina have already booked a place at Qatar 2022 with three games, including the rescheduled match, still to play.