The South American tournament was due to take place this summer season however the Covid-19 disaster has compelled authorities to delay the kick-off by a year.
The South American Football Confederation has validated that the 2020 Copa America has been postponed till next 12 months due to fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
The tournament was due to take place in
Argentina and Colombia this summer, with the opening fixture between the former host nation and Chile originally scheduled for June 12 and the final pencilled in a month later on July 12.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has revealed that the competition will now be staged between June eleven and July eleven in 2021, with the announcement unexpectedly following UEFA’s decision to push back the European Championship.
Dominguez explained the choice in a brief announcement on Tuesday: “This is an extremely good measure for an unexpected scenario and responds to the fundamental need to avoid the exponential evolution of the virus.
“It wasn’t easy to take this choice however we have to shield at all times the health of our players and all those who form part of the huge South American soccer family.
“Have no doubts that the oldest international match in the world will be back stronger than ever in 2021.”
A number of European-based players would have been required to travel again to South America for the Copa America, forcing CONMEBOL to act in a bid to contain the unfold of the virus.
The World Health Organisation identified Europe as the new Covid-19 pandemic epicentre on Friday, with Italy the most affected country on the continent with over 27,000 recorded instances to date.
Two people have died from coronavirus in Argentina and Colombia has banned the entry of non-residents by its borders, a measure which is additionally now being considered by Chile.
Several more South American countries have put protocols in area to cope with the ongoing crisis, with Venezuela now under quarantine and Peru declaring a countrywide emergency.
The latest announcements coincide with the prolong of many of the world’s top-flight leagues, with soccer essentially on hold amid the coronavirus.
There are, however, a few exceptions, which includes in Turkey , with the Super Lig continuing up to now notwithstanding opposition from players.
