The Brazilian team will play the Copa América-2021, published the Globo Esporte portal, putting an end to rumors about an alleged boycott against the tournament that will begin on Sunday in a Brazil hard hit by the pandemic.
“The decision of the athletes must be communicated jointly in a manifesto, with criticism of the way in which the event was organized in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. The tendency is for that to happen after the game with Paraguay, “for the South American World Cup, on Tuesday in Asunción, the media wrote.
The announcement of Brazil as the venue for the Copa América, replacing Argentina and Colombia, made a week ago, took the players and the ‘Selecao’ technical commission, led by Tite, by surprise, according to local media.
The footballers complained to the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Rogerio Caboclo, for having found out through the media and would have shown their opposition to the championship being held in Brazil, the second country with the most deaths from the pandemic ( more than 473,000), a number surpassed only by the United States.
Some considered not participating and sought support from the leaders of other national teams, without reaching a consensus, according to Globo Esporte.
«Let’s talk (after the game against Paraguay). We do not want to deviate from our goal, which for us is the World Cup, “said captain Casemiro on Friday, after the 2-0 victory against Ecuador in Porto Alegre for the seventh date of the South American World Cup in Qatar-2022.
Tite said Thursday that the group’s position on the idea of playing the tournament in Brazil was “very clear” and promised to express his opinion after the match against the Paraguayans.
The coach’s support for his players annoyed Caboclo, who on Sunday was removed from office for thirty days after a complaint by a CBF official for sexual and moral harassment. The 48-year-old manager defends his innocence.
Irritated with Tite, the manager would be thinking of replacing the coach, who has the backing of the squad. «I am going to demonstrate at an important moment. Not now, “said the DT after the victory against the Ecuadorians.
Brazil took over the organization of the fourth Copa América that takes place in the last six years, amid criticism from coaches, players and doctors due to the severity of the pandemic and the tight soccer calendar.
The far-right president Jair Bolsonaro supports the Cup, which must be played without an audience in Rio, Cuiabá, Goiania and Brasilia between June 13 and July 10. AFP (HN)