Covid protocols halt Argentina-brazil tie
MANCHESTER: FIFA has opened an investigation into the postponement of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Brazil with their president Gianni Infantino labelling the events “crazy” while Tottenham Hotspur were reported to be ready to take disciplinary action against their Argentine players.
Brazilian health authorities intervened on the pitch on Sunday after accusing four Argentine Premier League players of violating the country’s Covid-19 quarantine rules.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of the Argentine line-up when officials from Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa walked onto the field and stopped the game around five minutes after kickoff. Aston
Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia had also travelled from the UK and was in the stands.
The Brazilian rules make clear that travellers who have been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous 14 days are forbidden from entering, unless they are Brazilian citizens or have permanent residency.
FIFA said they have received reports from match officials and were gathering further information. “The information will be analysed by the competent disciplinary bodies and a decision will be taken in due course,” FIFA said in a statement.
Infantino, in a video address to the European Club Association’s general assembly, said the situation was a reminder of the difficulties the organisation had been facing during the pandemic. “It’s crazy but we need to deal with these challenges, these issues which come on top of the Covid crisis,” Infantino said.
The Argentine Football Association
(AFA) said that Martinez and Buendia had been released from the national team, meaning they will not take part in Friday’s qualifier against Bolivia.
The tweet from the AFA did not make reference to the two Tottenham players.
Misbah, Waqar step down from Pakistan role
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their respective roles, the country’s cricket board (PCB) said on Monday.
The PCB has appointed former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the upcoming home series against New Zealand, while a decision on the team management for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup will be taken closer to the tournament.
Italy sole owner of unbeaten record
GENEVA: Italy set an international record of 36 games unbeaten on Sunday as Germany and Spain returned to the top of their World Cup qualifying groups.
Though European champions Italy were held 0-0 at Switzerland, they made it their own. Previously, they shared the record with Brazil and Spain. Brazil’s run in 1993-96 included a World Cup title, Spain’s in 2007-09 spanned a European title and Italy’s dates to September 2018.