Andreas Pereira facing six-game ban in Brazil over quarantine breach

Manchester United midfielder Andrea Pereira, who is currently on loan at Flamengo, could face up to a six-game ban in Brazil if he is adjudged to have broken COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

Pereira made the switch to reigning Brazilian champions Flamengo on 20 August when travellers arriving from the UK were required to self-isolate for 14 days.

But Pereira made his debut for Flamengo only a week after the transfer was completed, scoring off the bench in a 4-0 over Santos, and Brazil’s Superior Sports Court for Football has taken action.

The midfielder had spent the summer in England and was part of United’s pre-season squad. It was reported early on the morning that his loan was announced that he was flying to Brazil that day and so had not already built up some additional time in isolation in Brazil beforehand.

A statement from the Superior Sports Court for Football confirmed that a disciplinary hearing will take place on 8 October, with the player liable for punishment.

The court claims to have seen a record from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency confirming that Pereira signed paperwork agreeing to follow the rules when he arrived. The court says it will not carry out an inquiry to investigate facts already ‘substantiated’.

There has been a request for an epidemiological questionnaire submitted by Flamengo in relation to Pereira’s selection for the match against Santos on 28 August, as well as documentation filled out by the player upon his arrival in Brazil.

Pereira has made 75 appearances for United in his career to date but hasn’t started a competitive match for the club since February 2020. His fall out of favour almost perfectly mirrored Bruno Fernandes' arrival and he spent last season on loan at Lazio in Serie A as a result.

The Lazio deal included a €27m option to buy, but Pereira only made three league starts for the Italian club, with the vast majority of his appearances coming as a substitute. His current loan to Flamengo is thought to include a €20m option to buy, while his United contract is up in 2023.

For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!