Tottenham defender Cristian Romero called up to Argentina squad despite being BANNED

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero will link up with the Argentina squad despite being banned for both matches during the international break.

The 23-year-old flew out to join up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad on Sunday night after an outstanding display in Spurs’ 3-1 victory over West Ham United, according to the Athletic.

Romero is one of four Argentina stars registered to Premier League clubs that was suspended for two international matches in relation to the abandoned World Cup qualifier against Brazil last September.

The 23-year-old flew out to meet the squad after Spurs 3-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday

Spurs Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso – on loan from Atalanta and on loan at Villarreal respectively, along with Aston Villa duo Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez – were hit with the sanction by FIFA’s disciplinary committee over a failure to comply with the world governing body’s Covid-19 protocols. 

At the time, foreign travellers to Brazil who had been in the UK in the previous 14 were forbidden from entering the country.

The four players who had left England for international duty were accused of providing false information to Brazil’s authorities and ordered to quarantine ahead of the game.

The English-based players – (L-R: Emi Buendia, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Emi Martinez) – left the UK despite Premier League banning teams from playing in red list countries 

But having failed to do so and three of them instead taking to the field, minus Buendia who was left out of Argentina’s match day squad, the match was eventually suspended after seven minutes as local health authorities entered the pitch on September 5. 

Argentine Football Association are, however, hoping his ban will be reduced to one game on appeal. 

If his suspension is reduced, Romero would be eligible for the qualifier against Ecuador on Wednesday, March 30.

If it isn’t, the centre-back faces making a wasted journey to South America and back.

Spurs will understandably feel concerned about Romero joining up with Argentina, especially since it might be a pointless trip. 

Spurs will understandably be concerned about Romero joining up with Argentina for the break

During the international break in November, Romero suffered an injury that kept him out for almost three months. 

In the September break, Romero was of course one of the players who caused the game against Brazil to be abandoned and then had to quarantine in Croatia and miss two matches before returning to London.

Given Argentina have already qualified for the World Cup and the fact Romero is currently suspended for this international break, there will be a great deal of frustration if the defender suffers any misfortune again while away with his country.