Colombia ready for Copa America despite unrest, virus surge, says president

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, May 6, 2021
Adjust font size:

BOGOTA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The Copa America will go ahead in Colombia as planned despite social unrest and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Wednesday.

Colombia is scheduled to co-host the event alongside Argentina, with the tournament slated to begin on June 13 after it was postponed by a year because of COVID-19.

Some media outlets have raised the possibility that Colombia could be stripped of its matches after a week of violent protests over proposed tax reforms. According to Colombia's ombudsman, at least 24 people have died in clashes with the police.

The Andean country is also grappling with a third wave of COVID-19 that has left hospitals on the verge of collapse.

"We have been working for more than two years," Duque told Blu Radio. "We have been firm in our belief that we can stage the event. Let's be logical. Euro [The European Championship] is going to be played at exactly the same time."

"It would be absurd if the Copa America doesn't go ahead when a European Championship is being held, especially when the epidemiological figures in several [European] countries are similar or even worse in some places than those seen in Latin America."

While Duque is adamant that Colombia will keep its host status, Argentine president Alberto Fernandez has been less steadfast about his own country's suitability to stage matches.

Last month he urged the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to be "very careful" in its Copa America planning given the pandemic's devastating impact on the region.

Local media speculated on Wednesday that the entire tournament could be shifted to Paraguay, a prospect Duque flatly rejected.

"The domestic leagues have restarted in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru, without problems," he said. "We already have experience with the coronavirus protocols. The sports minister [Ernesto Lucena] told me the Copa America is going to be held and it will take place in both Argentina and Colombia." Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter