The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, denied this Monday that he is exerting any pressure to resign or dismiss the Canarinha coach, Adenor Leonardo Bacchi “Tite”, for his alleged rejection of the Copa América dispute in the country.
“My participation in the Copa América is to open Brazil so that it can be held here, but I have nothing to do with players or coaches,” the president told a small group of supporters at the gates of his official residence in Brasilia.
Bolsonaro thus referred to conjectures that are woven in the local press, both around the discomfort of Tite and the players due to the fact that the Copa América is going to be played in Brazil, in the midst of the serious covid-19 pandemic, as well as in relation to a possible resignation of the coach and pressure from the Government in that regard.
In fact, on social networks, far-right groups that identify with Bolsonarism have maintained harsh attacks against Tite in recent days, whom they have branded as a “communist” for his alleged opposition to Brazil hosting the American tournament.
Speculation about Tite’s resignation also suggests that this would happen after the match that the Brazilian team will play this Tuesday in Asunción against Paraguay, corresponding to the South American qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The coach has said that only after that game will he express his opinion on the Copa América, something that the Canarinha players have also promised, who are silent until now and, according to the local press, are preparing a “manifesto” on the matter. .
According to Conmebol, the Copa América, which was going to be organized by Argentina and Colombia, countries that finally gave up the tournament, will be held in Brazil starting next Sunday, with venues in the cities of Brasilia, Cuiabá, Goiania and Rio de Janeiro. . EFE. (JL).