BRAZIL could face a points deduction following the crowd trouble that delayed their match with Argentina this week, according to reports.
Violence erupted in the Maracana stands during the national anthems, with police striking supporters with batons.
AFPPolice clashed with fans prior to the match[/caption]
AFPViolence erupted with police striking fans with batons[/caption]
AFPThe chaotic scenes caused the match to be delayed by 27 minutes[/caption]
ReutersEmiliano Martinez tried to defend Argentine fans[/caption]
ReutersThe violence could land Brazil in hot water[/caption]
APLionel Messi watched on in horror from the pitch[/caption]
Amid the chaos fans launched chairs, while mothers were forced to protect young kids.
A supporter caked in blood could be seen in a viral video, while another had to be stretchered away.
Many Argentina players, including Lionel Messi, approached the stand to try to defend their fans – with Emiliano Martinez even attempting to climb in.
The match eventually kicked off, with Argentina winning 1-0 to consign Brazil to their first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat.
Brazil’s Football Confederation could now face action for the events that took place prior to the match.
Article 17 of Fifa‘s disciplinary code states that “host clubs and associations are responsible for order and security before, during and after matches”.
It adds that the host confederation are “liable for incidents of any kind” that take place on their watch.
Fifa are now set to launch an investigation into the violent scenes that took place at the Maracana.
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And Brazilian outlet Globo claim that Brazil could face a points deduction.
Other potential punishments include a stadium ban, order to play at a neutral venue or a fine.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino slammed what happened at the Maracana, writing on social media: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field.
“Such events, such as those seen during the Fifa World Cup qualifying match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, have no place in our sport or society.
A tragedy could have happened
Lionel Messi
“Without exception, all players, fans, staff and officials need to be safe and secure to play and enjoy football, and I urge the relevant authorities to ensure this is respected at all levels.”
After the game, Messi added: “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.”
Brazil have endured a nightmare start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
They sit sixth in the team-team group after half a dozen games, already eight points behind leaders Argentina and only five above bottom-placed Peru.
The Selecao are currently on a three-game losing streak, having previously fallen to Colombia and Uruguay.
Prior to this horror run, they had never lost back-to-back qualifiers.
They have won just three games in 2023, drawing once and losing five times.
This is the first time in their history that they have lost more than half of their games in a calendar year.
ReutersBrazil are embroiled in a horror run of form[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
