World Cup Qualifier between Brazil and Argentina on Sunday night was suspended over COVID -19 rules.

The 2022 World Cup Qualifier between Brazil and Argentina on Sunday evening at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo was suspended after Brazilian health officials entered the pitch in a row over COVID-19 restrictions.

The Brazilian authorities invaded the pitch shortly after kick-off and confronted the Argentina players, who left the field while the two managers – along with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazil’s players – gathered to discuss the stoppage.

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso were part of the Argentina XI whiles Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, who was in the stands when officials from Brazil’s health authorities Anvisa stopped Sunday’s game after four minutes of play.

These four players travelling from the EPL should have been in quarantine say Anvisa as Brazil rules all travelers who have been in the UK during the previous 14 days to isolate for two weeks on their arrival in the country.

Brazil’s health regulator said Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez should have isolated after entering the country; causing the game to be halted after 4mins into action of play.

The referee eventually suspended the game with the score at 0-0 after players, football officials, coaches and local authorities argued for several minutes on the field whiles Brazilian authorities tried to deport these four Argentina players. The Argentine players left the field while the two managers – along with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazil’s players – gathered to discuss the stoppage.

South American COVID-19 rules has caused series of anger which have prevented several teams from using key players for the World Cup qualifiers this month. Brazil were without nine key players against the Argentina game, and other South American teams have also lost players due to a decision by some European clubs not to let their players travel to the continent amid UK COVID-19 restriction.

Players who travel outside UK would have to be quarantine on return which the clubs do not want to lose their players for subsequent league matches.

The South American football confederation CONMEBOL later confirmed the game – which was 0-0 when it was stopped – had been called off by the referee, who they said would submit a disciplinary report to FIFA.

Brazil and Argentina now await FIFA’s next move after an extraordinary night