Lionel Messi vs Neymar game: FIFA chief says World Cup 2022 qualifier abandonment was ‘crazy’

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of Argentina’s team when officials from Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa walked onto the field and stopped the game around five minutes after kickoff.

FIFA is investigating the abandonment of the Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier with its president Gianni Infantino labelling the events ‘crazy’, while Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to take disciplinary action against their Argentine players in a game billed as clash between superstars Lionel Messi vs Neymar Jr. Brazilian health authorities intervened on Sunday after accusing four Argentine Premier League players of violating the country’s COVID-19 quarantine rules. Argentina's Messi and Neymar from Brazil are both now teammates at PSG football club. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of Argentina’s team 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. Anvisa said 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 the country unless they are Brazilian citizens or have permanent residency. It said Argentine players had made false statements about their previous whereabouts on immigration forms.