Xtra Time Web Desk: CONMEBOL on Monday confirmed that the 2021 Copa America will go ahead as planned, with Brazil taking over hosting duties. This year’s edition of the tournament – postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic – had been due to be shared between Colombia and Argentina. It was going to be the first time in its history that the tournament would be co-hosted by two countries.
However, ten days ago CONMEBOL stripped Colombia of its duties amid street protests that were met with a heavy-handed police response that drew international condemnation. More than a month into the unrest, dozens of people have died.
On Sunday, CONMEBOL also stripped Argentina of hosting rights in the context of a record coronavirus surge, with more than 77,000 deaths in the pandemic to date and nearly 3.8 million infections.
CONMEBOL met on Monday to determine the future of the competition, electing to move the tournament to Brazil, who were crowned champions on home soil in 2019.