BRAZIL have stepped in to save Copa America 2021 after Colombia and Argentina withdrew as co-hosts.
This summer’s tournament was in chaos ahead of its planned start on June 13.
Now, though, South American football chiefs Conmebol will unveil a revised schedule, with a return to 2019 hosts and winners Brazil.
Colombia were forced out of the running on May 20 due to deadly anti-government protests.
And Argentina followed suit at the weekend, due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.
But Conmebol have finally taken decisive action by switching Copa America to America’s biggest hotbed for football.
Nonetheless, Uuruguay striker Luis Suarez is among the superstars who has urged caution over how the tournament is hosted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Atletico Madrid title-winner, 34, formerly of Barcelona and Liverpool, said priority must be given “to the health of human beings”.
Covid put paid to last year’s Copa America.
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That tournament was only set for 2020 to put it in line with the Euros by being held on even years.
But instead both competitions fell foul to coronavirus restrictions and will start this month.
This means the shortened summer break for clubs will now be even more hectic.
Argentina were due to face Chile in the Copa America opener at 10pm UK time on Sunday June 13, with Paraguay facing Bolivia the same night.
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The final is set for July 10.
Tournament organisers said in a statement on Monday afternoon: “The CONMEBOL @CopaAmerica 2021 will be played in Brazil! Tournament start and end dates are confirmed.
“The venues and the fixture will be informed by CONMEBOL in the next few hours. The oldest national team tournament in the world will thrill the entire continent!”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
