Copa America 2021: Brazil players agree to play, but slam CONMEBOL over venue switch

Copa America 2021 is all set to be played in Brazil from Friday. Brazil was chosen as the host a couple of weeks back following the snub of Argentina and Colombia. Consequently, the Brazilians have criticised the management of the same by CONMEBOL.

The 47th edition of Copa America is all set to be held this year in Brazil, starting Friday. The nation was chosen as the host at the last moment, a couple of weeks back, after original hosts Argentina and Colombia were dropped due to COVID and political concerns, respectively.

The sudden switch of the venue irked the Brazilians, as they felt that it was a rushed decision by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). At the same time, they also believed that it would be risky to play the same even in Brazil, as the COVID situation is not entirely under control.

Consequently, some of the top Brazilian players held discussions with Brazilian Football Confederation president Rogério Caboclo and mulled pulling out. Although they have agreed to feature in the event, they continue to criticise CONMEBOL’s handling of the host so far.

“For different reasons, be they humanitarian or professional, we are not satisfied with the way the Copa America has been handled by CONMEBOL. All the recent facts lead us to believe in an inadequate process in realising (the tournament). We are against the organisation of the Copa America, but we will never say no to playing for Brazil,” the Brazilians said in a statement, reports Reuters.

Meanwhile, Jair Bolsonaro’s (Brazil President) decision to give the go-ahead for the tournament has also baffled many, even though Brazil had recorded over 476,000 deaths, which is the most by any nation among the two American continents after the United States of America. The host kicks things off on June 13 against Venezuela, while the matches would be played across five venues in four cities, with Rio de Janerio hosting the final on July 10.

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