Topics: CONCACAF, Brazil, Argentina, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero
The clash between Brazil and Argentina was interrupted after health inspectors invaded the pitch.

The clash between Brazil and Argentina on Sunday was suspended after Brazilian Health Authorities stormed the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo in an attempt to deport four players of the visiting team. Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Buendia and Cristian Romero were the players in question with reports suggesting that they had angered the inspectors by giving falsified information in order to be involved in the crucial World Cup qualifying game.

Prior to kick-off, the aforementioned were given a deportation order and had been asked to leave Brazil after allegedly breaking quarantine regulations. Earlier, the Premier League's restrictions on travel had almost prevented them from making the trip to South America to join Argentina for the qualifiers. But they were subsequently cleared to feature in the games with Martinez, Romero and Lo Celso all earning a spot in the starting line-up for the Copa America champions.

According to Brazil's rules of entry for travellers on their soil, foreign nationals who have been in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Northern Ireland and India in the last 14 days were not allowed to enter the country. Brazil's health regulator Anvisa had, as a result, sought the immediate isolation of the Argentine players. However, CONMEBOL overruled the directive on Saturday stating that they were permitted to play as they formed part of the national team's bubble.

Barely six minutes after the game between the two South American rivals kicked off, health officials emerged to spark a scuffle on the sideline. Per reports from Brazil, they had arrived at the venue with orders to arrest the Argentine quartet who had allegedly defied the Covid-19 protocols in order to enter Brazil. The development came as a surprise as a deal had been struck for them to be involved in the game.

Soon after, the game was abandoned and the Argentine players headed for the dressing room. CONMEBOL subsequently released a statement confirming the indefinite suspension of the game.