Daniel Levy angry with Tottenham pair after abandoned Argentina clash

Nicolas Otamendi Giovani Lo Celso Emi Martinez abandoned Argentina game

Tottenham are understood to be angry with Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero after the pair went against the club’s wishes and played in the abandoned Argentina v Brazil World Cup qualifier.

The Guardian report that Tottenham “did not give Lo Celso and Romero permission to join up with Argentina”.

Spurs duo Romero and Lo Celso had started Sunday night’s match. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez also started, but Emi Buendia was not in the matchday 23.

The match in Sao Paulo was halted in the seventh minute when local health officials entered the pitch and accused the Premier League quarter of violating Covid-19 protocols in order to enter the country.

South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL announced on Twitter that Sunday’s match had been suspended on the decision of the referee. His report and that of the FIFA match delegate were sent to the governing body.

“FIFA regrets the scenes preceding the suspension of the match between Brazil and Argentina for the CONMEBOL qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2022 which prevented millions of fans from enjoying a match between two of the most important football nations in the world,” a statement from FIFA read.

FIFA’s disciplinary department is now analysing reports from the abandoned game before deciding what action will be taken.

The Premier League had ruled that clubs were not to release players for national team games in red list countries, owing to the stipulation that they must undergo a hotel quarantine for 10 days on return.

Tottenham Hotspur Transfer Review

Tottenham Hotspur Transfer Review

We take a quick look into Nuno Espirito Santo's activity this window.

 

Aston Villa though are understood to have allowed their players to travel and play against Venezuela and Brazil. But they were set to miss Friday’s game with Bolivia. That would ensure they would miss only Saturday’s game at Chelsea.

Spurs though, per the source, had no such agreement in place. And Lo Celso, Romero and Davinson Sanchez, who travelled to South America with Colombia, are all in hot water with Daniel Levy.

Apparently the players were planning to spend time training in green-listed Croatia before returning to their clubs after the quarantine period.


Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram


Infantino calls for ‘flexibility’

Martínez and Buendía are believed to be still adhering to that plan. Just where Spurs’ trio are heading is unknown.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that the events preceding and during the September international break highlighted the need for flexibility.

“We have to try to find compromises,” he said. “This September window has not been ideal, by far not. Let’s try to find a good compromise for October for November.

“To be FIFA president, to be in FIFA, requires some flexibility, some adaptability. And you have to face some challenges for which you were not prepared. I want to ask you, humbly, to consider this as well.”

READ MORE: Tottenham talks for midfield star confirmed as cost of January deal emerges