18 March 2020 12:03 am
The Copa is South America’s main continental competition
AFP - The Copa America due to kick-off in June in Argentina and Colombia was postponed by a year to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers CONMEBOL said yesterday.
The Copa is South America’s main continental competition between national sides and had been scheduled from June 12 to July 12.
The competition was being staged for the first time in two countries rather than one.
The finals featuring 12 teams, for this edition included invitees Australia and Qatar.
“It’s an extraordinary measure due to an unexpected situation, and therefore responds to the fundamental need to avoid an exponential evolution of the virus,” said CONMEBOL.
The tournament is now rescheduled to run from June 11 to July 11, 2021.
The decision was taken in conjunction with UEFA’s decision to postpone Euro 2020 to 2021.