CBF receives fine for fight at Maracanã

FIFA imposed, this Wednesday (10), a fine of 70 thousand Swiss francs (R$ 402.1 thousand) on the CBF as punishment for the confusion between Brazilian and Argentine fans at Maracanã, before the match between Brazil and Argentina, in the World Cup qualifiers, in November last year. The episode fell under article 17 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which defines sanctions for disorder in or around stadiums, and could have triggered harsher punishments for the highest football entity in the country.

There is also a punishment aimed at midfielder Joelinton, suspended for two games due to the direct red card received in the game against the Argentines, for hitting De Paul in the face. As a result, he will not be available for the next qualifiers, in September, against Ecuador and Paraguay.

The South American classic started almost 30 minutes late due to the fight that involved the Rio de Janeiro Military Police and Argentine fans who were in the south stand of Maracanã, behind one of the goals. There was no separation between the two fans.

When defending itself at the time, the CBF said it had planned the departure in a “careful and strategic way” with the authorities, “especially the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro”. According to the entity, the PM approved the security strategy presented without objection.

Led by Lionel Messi, the Argentine players left the pitch as soon as the fight began in the stands. Then, they returned to the field and decided to play. Brazil lost 1-0 and suffered its third consecutive defeat in the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup.

The list of sanctions released by FIFA this Wednesday has another punishment for the CBF, relating to the field invasion recorded in the 5-1 defeat of Bolivia, in Mangueirão, in September 2023. In this case, the fine was 5 thousand Swiss francs (R$ 28.7 thousand).