CONMEBOL suspends Copa America in Argentina

In a fresh setback for the 2021 Copa America, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) announced on Sunday local time that it would no longer host the tournament in Argentina.

The decision came just 13 days before the games were slated to kick off. 

On May 20, CONMEBOL had decided to move the 47th edition of the games away from the other co-host, Colombia because of the ongoing civil unrest in the country.

Other countries showed 'interest' in hosting

CONMEBOL said Argentina would not host the 10-nation regional tournament as a result of "the present circumstances," without elaborating on the issue. 

Argentina is currently dealing with a spike in COVID-19 cases and is in the midst of a nine-day lockdown. An opinion poll published on Friday found that 70 percent of respondents were not in favor of holding the games as the country enters its worst phase of the pandemic yet.

"CONMEBOL is analyzing offers from other countries that have shown interest in hosting the continental tournament," the body said in a brief statement. "Updates will be announced soon."

Officials from the organization are set to meet later on Monday to decide on the future course of the tournament.

Some of the players who had returned to South America to prepare for the games also raised concerns about the outbreak in Argentina.

”We have to give priority to the health of human beings," Luis Suarez of Uruguay had told reporters on Friday.

dvv/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters, EFE)