After hearing the football associations’ appeals, the FIFA Appeal Committee ruled on Monday that the cancelled World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina must be replayed.
The September qualifier was called off just minutes after kickoff when Brazilian health officials stormed the field to prevent Argentina’s England-based players from playing, claiming they had violated the country’s COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Both teams have already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar later this year, with Brazil finishing first and Argentina second in the South American standings.
However, FIFA, football’s governing body, ruled in February that the match must be replayed.
“After analysing the submissions of both parties and considering all circumstances of the case, the Appeal Committee confirmed that the match would be replayed,” FIFA said in a statement.
“(It) also upheld the fine of 50,000 Swiss francs ($50,322) that was imposed on both associations as a result of the abandonment.”
FIFA also fined Brazil’s FA (CBF) and Argentina’s AFA 500,000 Swiss francs and 200,000 Swiss francs, respectively, for failing to ensure “order and safety.”
However, the Appeal Committee stated that it had decided to reduce the CBF fine by 250,000 Swiss francs, while the AFA fine had been reduced by 100,000 Swiss francs.
The AFA announced last month that they would take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Brazil and Argentina will also play a friendly international in June at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Source: impelnews.net
