Argentina’s internet hosting of the Copa America soccer match has been suspended “in view of the present circumstances,” CONMEBOL said on Sunday, as the country endures a record coronavirus surge. The South American football body, which last week stripped Colombia of co-hosting duties over deadly unrest, said it was considering other offers to hold the tournament. “CONMEBOL informs that in view of the current circumstances it has decided to suspend the organization of the Copa America in Argentina,” the governing physique tweeted. “CONMEBOL is evaluating the supply of different nations that confirmed curiosity in internet hosting the continental match.”
The Copa America was originally due to take place last year, but was postponed for 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials are expected to meet on Monday to decide on the next move for hosting the tournament.
An Argentine poll published on Friday found that most respondents were against holding the tournament as the country experiences its worst phase of the pandemic so far.
Less than two weeks before the Copa America’s scheduled start, Argentina is under a nine-day lockdown and experiencing record daily infections.
The Fernandez administration was hoping that the lockdown that began on May 22 would flatten the curve of infections ahead of the sports event.
Argentina had presented its “strict protocol” to CONMEBOL to host the match in its entirety, which concerned making ready further stadiums.
On May 20 CONMEBOL rejected a plea by Colombia to additional delay the June 13-July 10 match following a wave of protests and social unrest, coupled with an upsurge in Covid-19 instances.
It left Argentina as the only real host, however a survey performed by pollsters Poliarquia amongst a consultant pattern of 1,274 city-dwelling adults, discovered that 70 p.c imagine the nation ought to withdraw.
Only 20 p.c believed the championship ought to proceed on Argentine soil, and 10 p.c have been undecided.
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