FIFA has ruled that last September’s abandoned World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed, with four players suspended and both teams fined. The match in Sao Paolo was called off after officials, said to be Brazilian medical chiefs, stormed onto the field minutes into the game.Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso had been accused by the Brazilian government of providing false information on immigration forms and breaking COVID-19 laws.The decision comes at the conclusion of FIFA disciplinary proceedings which were launched in September. Brazil have been fined 550,000 Swiss francs (£440,000), and Argentina 250,000 Swiss francs (£200,000). Martinez, Buendia, Romero, and Lo Celso have all been suspended for two matches “for not complying with the FIFA Return to Football International Match Protocol”.Lo Celso left Tottenham for Villarreal on loan in January.After the game, Brazil’s Federal Police opened a formal investigation into the actions of the Argentina players.“We can confirm an investigation has begun into the possible crime of supplying false information,” a spokesperson said.“Yesterday, the players were notified they must leave the country, which is the regular procedure, and statements from them were taken.”The game will be replayed at a date and location decided by FIFA.Both Brazil and Argentina have already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar.(Photo: Marcello Zambrana/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
