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Brazil Stars Sensationally Ready To Walk Out On Copa America Due To COVID-19 Concerns

Brazil Stars Sensationally Ready To Walk Out On Copa America Due To COVID-19 Concerns

The Copa America has been moved to Brazil despite a recent surge in coronavirus cases.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Brazil stars are ready to walk out on the Copa America tournament after the country were announced as hosts despite a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The rearranged South American international football tournament was initially slated to take place in Colombia and Argentina but both were removed as co-hosts due to street protests and coronavirus infections respectively.

A bid from the United States was turned down and Brazil were given the tournament by CONMEBOL in a last-minute call that is causing a stir.

In Brazil, the COVID death toll in the nation is over 470,000 and a third wave of the pandemic is predicted.

Image: PA
Image: PA

All 28 games are to be played behind closed doors but reports say that a slew of Brazil's main players plying their trade in European football, are threatening to boycott.

Brazil's squad is largely made up of players playing abroad, including the likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Alisson Becker, Thiago Silva, Ederson, Richarlison, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Fred and Casemiro.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Radio Gaucha say the European-based stars delayed training on Thursday as they demand a face-to-face meeting with CONMEBOL chiefs.

Casemiro, the country's caption, refused to attend a press conference in protest - manager Tite has revealed.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"They have an opinion, they exposed it to the president ... and they will expose it to the public at the appropriate time,' Tite said, as per the Daily Mail.

"That is why our captain Casemiro is absent today.

"We asked our athletes to focus only on the match against Ecuador. We have a priority now, to play well and beat Ecuador. We understand that after the two rounds these situations will be clear."

"I am not avoiding answers and I am giving facts, with the understanding that I have."

Brazil play 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in the next week, before they are due to kick off the Copa America against Venezuela on 13 June.

AP are reporting players will make a decision following the next two fixtures, while FIFPro have said they will back any players who refuse to participate.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football, Copa America, Brazil

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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