Copa America 2021: Are Brazil players mulling pullout?

By Team Newsable | First Published Jun 5, 2021, 1:38 PM IST

The 2021 Copa America is all set to be held in Brazil, as Argentine and Colombia were scrapped as hosts. However, the COVID situation in Brazil is dicey, too, as some Brazil players are reportedly against having the tournament hosted in the country.

The Copa America 2021 is once again set to light up Brazil. While the tournament is hosted in the nation for the sixth time, the Brazilians do not seem happy with it.

The competition was previously set to be held in Argentina and Colombia. However, they were stripped of their respective rights due to the COVID situation and political unrest, respectively.

Tap to resize

Latest Videos

Tap to resize

While the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) awarded the rights to Brazil, it has been a matter of heavy criticisms since then. Politicians, fans, and players feel that it is not wise to host the tournament in the country amidst the rising COVID cases.

Meanwhile, some of the top Brazilian players have held talks with each other and the Brazilian Football Confederation president Rogério Caboclo, mulling a pullout. However, no decision has yet been announced by them as they wish to wait until the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

ALSO READ: Copa America 2021- Brazil roped in as new host

“They have an opinion, they exposed it to the president ... and they will expose it to the public at the appropriate time. That is why our captain Casemiro is absent today. We asked our athletes to focus only on the match against Ecuador,” Brazil head coach Tite was quoted as saying by AP.

“We have a priority now, to play well and beat Ecuador. We understand that after the two rounds, these situations will be clear. I am not avoiding answers; I am giving facts with the understanding that I have. Copa America is very important. But, our match tomorrow is more important,” he added.

Brazil has so far recorded 4,70,000 COVID deaths. In the meantime, health officials have warned the nation of a third wave possibly sweeping through later this month, while the tournament is scheduled to begin from June 11.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

For more reliable and latest news