Brazilian discuss why they stormed the pitch to stop Brazil vs Argentina game

The highly-anticipated FIFA World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina was the point of some shocking scenes on Sunday.

Brazilian health authorities and federal police invaded the pitch, halting the game and looking to deport four Argentina players in Giovanni Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez, Emiliano Buendia and Cristian Romero.

Anvisa – a department of Brazil’s health authorities – cleared the air on why they stormed the pitch on Sunday and wrote in an official statement: “Due to information that four Argentine players entered Brazil in breach of the country's sanitary rules, by allegedly declaring false information in an official form of the Brazilian sanitary authority, Anvisa met with representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Coordination of Control of Diseases of the São Paulo State Department of Health this Saturday (4/9).

“After a meeting with the health authorities, it was confirmed, after consulting the passports of the four players involved, that the athletes failed to comply. rule for the entry of travelers on Brazilian soil, provided for in Interministerial Ordinance No. 655, of 2021, which provides that foreign travelers who have passed, in the last 14 days, through the United Kingdom, South Africa, Northern Ireland and India, are prohibited to enter Brazil.

“The players in question declared that they have not passed through any of the 4 countries with restrictions in the last 14 days. The travelers arrived in Brazil by flight from Caracas/Venezuela to Guarulhos. However, unofficial news reached Anvisa reporting alleged false statements made by such travelers.

“In view of the news, Anvisa immediately notified the Center for Strategic Information on National Health Surveillance (CIEVS/MS), which coordinates the CIEVS network, responsible for epidemiological investigation with the state of São Paulo and the municipality of Guarulhos, so that the if investigated and tracked.

“Upon confirmation that the information provided by travelers was false, Anvisa clarifies that it has already communicated the fact to the Federal Police, so that measures within the scope of the police authority can be taken immediately.

“There is a notorious non-compliance with the Interministerial Ordinance No. 655/2021 and the Brazilian immigration control rules. Anvisa considers the situation a serious health risk, and therefore advised the local health authorities to determine the immediate quarantine of players, who are prevented from participating in any activity and must be prevented from remaining in Brazilian territory, pursuant to art. 11, of Federal Law No. 6437/77.”

The game was eventually called off due to the dramatic scenes, leaving fans and players in the stadium bemused about the whole situation.