Home ›› 16 Jul 2022 ›› Sport
The Argentina Football Association have lodged a formal appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to cancel their postponed 2022 World Cup Qualifier against Brazil.
The qualifier, which was supposed to be played in September last year, was postponed as Brazilian health officials invaded the Sao Paulo pitch after the match started as four Argentinian players had reportedly violated their Covid-19 protocols. Later in May, FIFA ordered the teams to replay the match in September this year before the World Cup.
If Argentina’s appeal to CAS is successful, they will be given the three points for the match. If not, they will have to play. The result of the match is irrelevant to the South American Qualifiers as Brazil finished at the top with 45 points, six more than second-placed Argentina, who had 11 more than third-placed Uruguay.
Thus, both teams are reluctant to play the match as it would be an injury risk for the players around two months before two months. Also, if a player is sent off in that match, he would not be able to play the first match in Qatar.
Brazil coach Tite had suggested that the match be played in Europe so the players would not have to travel further for the match. But the FIFA said the match must be played in Sao Paulo.
If the CAS rules against Argentina and they have to play the match, their head coach Lionel Scaloni is set to test out young players and leave out the players he will take to Qatar.
