Travel restrictions due to Corona: World Cup qualifiers in South America canceled

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The classic between Brazil and Argentina is also omitted

Photo: WALEED ALI / REUTERS

The next two game days of the South American qualification for the soccer World Cup 2022 have been canceled in the wake of the corona pandemic.

The world association Fifa is considering rescheduling the games planned for the end of March, said the South American football association Conmebol.

The background is travel restrictions, which means that players sometimes have to be quarantined.

It is not yet clear when the fifth and sixth matchdays will be rescheduled.

We are talking about dates in September and October.

Among other things, a duel between arch-rivals Brazil and Argentina was on the schedule on March 30th.

A number of coaches from European clubs such as Pep Guardiola from Manchester City or Jürgen Klopp from Liverpool FC had previously emphasized that they did not want their South American professionals to travel to the international matches if they had to be quarantined for a longer period of time.

"It doesn't make sense," Guardiola said.

Restrictions for returnees

Several Bundesliga officials had also indicated that they wanted to talk to the authorities about the situation and only then decide on the release of national players.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino appealed to the clubs on Friday to turn off the players "as long as their health is not endangered."

The national associations are dependent on the TV revenue for the international matches.

Brazil and some other states in South America are among the regions worst hit by the pandemic.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are currently severe restrictions for returnees in Great Britain.

So far there are no special regulations for footballers.

The World Cup qualifiers in Europe should continue to take place.

Three games are planned for the German team: On March 25, the DFB-Elf will host Iceland and on March 31, North Macedonia.

In between, the game in Romania is on the program on March 28th.

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mfu / dpa