FIFA to probe fan violence at Argentina-Brazil qualifier

FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina and Brazil on Friday after fan violence at the Maracanã stadium delayed the start of a World Cup qualifying match.

The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) has been blamed for crowd disturbances and the late kick-off of Tuesday’s match in Rio de Janeiro.

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The Brazilian federation has been accused of failing to manage security during a match it organized, FIFA said.

Fights between supporters broke out after the national anthems. The teams were taken back to the locker rooms and the match started 27 minutes late.

“There was the family of the players [there]. That worried us more than playing the match,” Argentina captain Lionel Messi said.

Argentina won the match 1-0.

FIFA gave no timetable for adjudicating the case and imposing sanctions.

The teams’ next World Cup qualifying matches will take place in September. Brazil hosts Ecuador and Argentina hosts Chile.

Brazil and Argentina could next meet in the 2024 Copa América, a tournament to be played in the United States from June 20 to July 14.