LAUSANNE – Fifa has started disciplinary proceedings over the crowd disturbances that caused a delay in the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, football’s world governing body said on Nov 24.
Brazil and Argentina fans started fighting behind one of the goals during the national anthems at the game on Nov 21, prompting police to charge at the travelling contingent with batons drawn.
The visiting world champions, led by captain Lionel Messi, went over to the terraces to try and calm the situation before leaving the pitch for more than 10 minutes, hoping that the violence could be resolved.
“Fifa can confirm that its disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) and the Argentinian Football Association (AFA),” the body said in a statement.
Argentina face disciplinary action for potential breaches of “Articles 17.2 and 14.5” of the Fifa disciplinary code related to crowd disturbance and delayed kick-off respectively.
Fifa added that Brazil are under investigation for potential violations of “Article 17”, which relates to maintaining order and security during matches.
Sanctions for breaking the rules typically include fines or stadium closures in upcoming matches.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had said that “there’s no place in football for this kind of violence, on or off the pitch”.
The game started after the long delay and Argentina won 1-0 with a 63rd-minute header from defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Meanwhile, the CBF said on Nov 24 it would take legal action against social media users who attacked its president and players with racist slurs following the loss to Argentina.
The move came after users posted comments on the CBF’s Instagram page calling black players for the Brazilian national team “monkeys” and CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, who has indigenous roots, an “Indian”.
The CBF “will take legal action against those involved in these crimes”, it said in a statement.
“We will take all necessary measures each and every time such attacks occur, without respite. The fight against discrimination is one of our most important causes.”
The CBF said it also reported the incidents to Instagram, Fifa and South American football confederation Conmebol, as well as to police in Brazil, where racist hate speech is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
The racist messages were written in response to CBF posts on the two recent losses, including a 3-0 loss in the quarter-finals of the Under-17 World Cup on Nov 24, also to Argentina. It is the latest in a series of racist incidents involving Brazilian players.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has endured numerous attacks in Spain, and his teammate Rodrygo has also said he was targeted with racist slurs on social media after the defeat by Argentina. REUTERS, AFP
