Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against rivals Argentina set to be axed after refusing to play suspended clash next month
BRAZIL'S World Cup qualifier against rivals Argentina looks set to be scrapped as they are refusing to play the rearranged clash.
The initial match between the two South American heavyweights last September was sensationally abandoned after just six minutes.
Health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo to remove four Argentine players accused of breaking Covid quarantine rules and falsifying documents to enter Brazil illegally.
Even without the completed match, both countries safely qualified to secure their spots at Qatar 2022.
However, they were fined by Fifa and have been ordered to replay it anyway this September, a year later than the original date.
However, as reported by , Brazil are insisting they will not take to the field because it is too risky for them ahead of the World Cup which starts in November.
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Fears over suspensions, injuries, an Argentina boycott and the inability to find another opponent for a second match mean the Selecao boss Tite would prefer to play two friendlies in Europe instead.
Brazilian confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said: “We will reach out to Fifa so this match is not played.
"I will make every effort to answer to the request of our coaching staff.
"Our priority is to win the World Cup in Qatar.
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"If that match is not recommended by the coaching staff of the Selecao, we will work for it not to be played.”
Brazil and Argentina's federations have taken the case to the Court for Arbitration of Sport, which is expected to rule later in August.
The five-time champions, who last lifted the trophy in 2002, are in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
Argentina, the 2014 runners-up still led by Lionel Messi, face Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia in Group C.
