Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Copa America Postponed Until 2021 Due to Coronavirus


Tue 17 Mar 2020 | 06:31 PM
Mohamed Helba

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) decided on Tuesday to postpone the Copa America by one year to be held in 2021 because of Coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-team tournament was scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 12 in Colombia and Argentina.

In a statement, the South American football's governing body said taking such a decision was not easy, but the CONMEBOL asserted that maintaining the health of all those involved in the game is the priority.

"It wasn't easy to take this decision but we must safeguard at all times the health of our players and all those who form part of the big South American football family," the statement said according to Eurosport. 

The statement noted that the tournament would be back once again, but the CONMEBOL has not set a date for the tournament yet.

"Have no doubts that the oldest international tournament in the world will be back stronger than ever in 2021," it concluded.

It is worth mentioning that the Uefa decided earlier on Tuesday to postpone Euro 2020 by one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

European football's governing body made the decision during an emergency video conference involving major stakeholders.

The tournament, which was scheduled to take place from 12 June-12 July this summer, will be played from 11 June to 11 July next year.

European football's governing body said that the postponement would give a chance for European leagues that have been halted to now be played.

"The move will help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed," Uefa said according to its official website.

In a statement, the Uefa said it decided to suspend all its competitions, and matches for clubs and national teams, including the friendlies, Champions League, and Europa League, until further notice.

"All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice," the statement read.