Copa America 2021 opener Brazil vs Venezuela doubtful: Just hours before Brazil is set to face Venezuela in the Copa America 2021 opener, the match has plunged into doubt after 13 members including 9 players from the Venezuelan contingent tested positive for COVID-19. While the CONMEBOL is hopeful the match will go ahead, the fortunes can change quickly if more positive cases emerge from the camp.
Eight players from the Venezuela contingent have contracted the virus forcing the Venezuela Football federation to call in replacements from their country. Later CONMEBOL stated as many as 13 people have tested positive prior to the inaugural match of this esteemed tournament.
Copa America 2021: Brazil vs Venezuela doubtful – The Brazilian health minister also confirmed the development. “They’re all fine. They’re all isolated in their hotel, along with those who had contact with them.”
Keeping in view of the current condition CONMEBOL has allowed all the countries unlimited substitution to replace the covid infected players.
Bolivia too has been hit by the Covid19 scare as three players and a member of the staff tested positive for the virus and are all in isolation, the football federation confirmed.
There has been tremendous furore when Brazil decided to take over the Copa America arrangements from Argentina who had to cancel the tournament due to a rise in covid cases.
Copa America 2021: Brazil vs Venezuela doubtful – CONMEBOL awarded the hosting rights to Brazil whose own players protested against the decision to host the event in Brazil amidst this crisis.
The player’s said, “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 Copa America but we will never say no to playing for Brazil.”
Brazil manager Tite also echoed his players’ concerns saying that he doesn’t like the idea of playing Venezuela in these tough conditions. “It’s a shame. I would have liked it to be a match between equals
Brazil is set to face Venezuela in the Copa America opener at the Estádio Nacional de Brasília.