UPDATE:
Argentina have officially pulled out of the clash against Brazil on June the 11th.
In a statement released, the organisers have stated that Argentina are “no longer prepared to travel to Australia”.
All options are on the table for the fixture, with details on the refund process set to be provided soon.
The ‘Superclásico’ between Argentina and Brazil that is set to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 11th of June could possibly be set not to go ahead between the two sides after FIFA ruled on Monday (AEST) that their abandoned qualifier played last year must be replayed.
It is presently unclear when and where the rescheduled qualifier is set to take place, with fines of AUD $72,000 upheld that were handed to Brazilian and Argentinian federations as a result of several Argentina players breaching COVID-19 rules which caused the abandoned qualifier on September 5th last year.
“After analysing the submissions of both parties and considering all circumstances of the case, the Appeal Committee confirmed that the match would be replayed,” read a statement from FIFA.
In April the Argentinian Federation stated publicly that they would appeal the decision for the World Cup qualifier to be replayed.
Argentinian football outlet Golazo have reported that the game between Argentina and Brazil set for June 11 hasn’t been officially confirmed by both federations and in addition Kick360 understands that Argentina’s involvement is possibly in danger.
Last month Fairfax reported that theappeal by Argentina has confused the situation, with the Victorian government informing the outlet that the match would have proceeded regardless of it would be a qualifier or a friendly.
Now that FIFA have ruled the qualifier proceed at a later date, the status of the game to be held next month is heavily up in the air.
The last time these two South American sides faced off in Australia was in 2017, in front of a near sell-out crowd at the same venue. 95,569 fans packed out the MCG as Lionel Messi lined up for Argentina.
A 45th minute header from Gabriel Mercado secured the 1-0 victory for Argentina, who based themselves out of Melbourne City’s training base in Bundoora while Brazil trained at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.
Both sides have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar later this year, with the rescheduled game rendered a dead rubber.
