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NO END IN SIGHT

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The Copa America has barely crossed match day one when problems have already started cropping up. By problems, there can only be one inference. Players, staff, and workers from the Copa America have started getting infected with COVID-19. Indeed, the Health Ministry of the country confirmed today that 52 have tested positive for the virus. 19 of those are workers who are based in Brasilia and Rio De Janeiro.

 

The remaining are all involved with national teams that are present at the tournament. The initial number of 41, posted yesterday, was changed following more affirmative results, and this marks a fresh blow to the whole situation as well as the stakeholders involved that have had to defend its actions quite a bit since the last month.

 

WARNING SIGNS IGNORED

CONMEBOL, organizers of Copa America, have had a nightmare finding a host for the tournament. Initially set to be hosted dually by Colombia and Argentina, the former was removed as antigovernmental protests spread across the nation while the latter chose to withdraw from hosting after its President extended lockdown measures in light of the increasing cases of COVID-19, due to which Brazil were forced to host Copa America 2021.

 

That left CONMEBOL with around 10 days to find a new host nation and they went with…Brazil. South Americaโ€™s biggest country was also the worst affected in the continent and its death rate from the virus was amongst the highest in the world. Still, that did not seem to matter to its president Jair Bolsonaro who has been a strong critic of social distancing measures and dangers posed by the virus.

 

All of this set off a mad scramble of logistical planning and bio-bubble plans in order to safely host the tournament, which was by this point already drawing a lot of flak for pressing on with its original timeline of matches. CONMEBOL had categorically stated that no postponement will be entertained and though other choices of hosts were mentioned, including the USA and Mexico, possible issues with vaccine passports and quarantine plans put paid to those plans. With criticism at its peak and an indomitable, even the most hopeful among the lot knew that it will take a lot for things to go without a hitch.

 

DOOMED FROM THE START

Things went sideways almost immediately. Venezuela, who were set to feature in the competitionโ€™s first match against Brazil, reported a dozen positive cases in their camp. That forced them to call up 14 players to link up with the national squad. This came a day after three Bolivian players had tested positive along with a staff member.

 

Captain Marcelo Martins blasted CONMEBOL for having no disregard for playersโ€™ health and safety, which echoed similar sentiments expressed by Brazilโ€™s Casemiro and other players participating in the Copa America as COVID has gripped South America. With only four matches having played, there is no doubt that more CVOID cases are to be expected soon over the course of the Copa America.

 

SET TO CONTINUE?

For now, there seems to be no change in plan with regards to the playing of matches. Knowing CONMEBOL and their defiant stance, it will be no surprise if they actually do want to push through the ever rising cases in Brazil. Even the pulling out of sponsors like Diageo, Mastercard, and Ambev has had little effect on their plans. Qatar and Australia, two nations who were initially invited also left due to health concerns, which in hindsight seem a really wise decision now. With no signs of the pandemic abating as of now, the concerns of more individuals being affected with the virus leading to more chaos and outcry is just around the corner.

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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