"The Brazilian team is facing the possibility of being deducted points, fined or banned from playing 1 to 2 matches in empty stadiums, and may have to play on neutral grounds in upcoming matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America," said TV Globo channel.
If Brazil (yellow shirt) is deducted points, it will be in an extremely difficult situation in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Before the match with the rival Argentina team, the authorities of the Maracana stadium of the host team Brazil allowed a violent incident between groups of fans of the two teams. The police then went into the stands to intervene, but acted too harshly by using batons to beat the fans. The incident happened right in front of the Argentine and Brazilian players who were preparing to play, causing everyone to be indignant. Members of both teams went to the stands to protest. Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez even wanted to rush into the stands to stop the Brazilian police who were beating the fans.
The incident left many fans injured, including at least one fan with a serious head injury who had to be taken to the emergency room, creating chaos in the stands. Legendary player Messi then called on the entire Argentina team to go into the locker room and not play until the incident was resolved. The incident interrupted the match for nearly 30 minutes.
Images of violence in the stands of the Maracana stadium and police using batons to beat spectators
Seriously injured fan was taken to the emergency room
After the match, Messi criticized: "We cannot play in such a bad situation. We saw right in front of our eyes the Brazilian police beating people, they even beat our relatives. This also happened in the recent Copa Libertadores final and right here. They focused on that more than football. That's why we left the field so that everything could be handled properly and more quietly."
"The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is facing sanctions for Article 17 of the FIFA disciplinary code, which states that "the home team is responsible for order and security before, during and after matches". The home team will also be held responsible for any incidents that occur before, during and after the match, TV Globo reported.
Messi reacts strongly to the incident where mostly Argentine fans were beaten with batons by Brazilian police in the stands
"There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the pitch. Such incidents, such as the one that occurred during the World Cup qualifying match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana, have no place in sport or in our society. Without exception, all players, fans, staff and officials must be safe and guaranteed the conditions to play and enjoy football. I call on the relevant authorities to ensure this and to respect it at all levels," FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote in a message posted on his Instagram account on November 23.
TV Globo also commented that if the Brazilian team was penalized by FIFA for the above incident, it would be a disaster. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America, the Brazilian team is ranked 6th with only 7 points after 6 matches, only 2 points more than the 7th ranked team Paraguay. In the South American region, with 10 teams competing in a round-robin, the top 6 teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the 7th team will compete in the Intercontinental play-off round to compete for a wild card.
Source link
Comment (0)