SOCCER SHOWPIECE FARCE

BRAZIL’S World Cup qualifying clash against Argentina was dramatically suspended shortly after kick-off on Sunday as controversy over Covid-19 protocols erupted.

Amid incredible scenes in Sao Paulo, the match between the giants of South American football came to a halt when a group of Brazilian public health officials walked on to the pitch, triggering a melee involving team staff and players.

Argentina’s players trudged off the pitch to the locker room as the furore erupted.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi later re-emerged from the tunnel without his team shirt on as confusion swept around the stadium.

The intervention came just hours after Brazil’s health authorities said four players in Argentina’s squad based in England should be placed in “immediate quarantine” for breaching Covid-19 protocols.