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BRASIL. — The 2021 Copa America will be hosted by Brazil, after Argentina was stripped of the tournament just two weeks before it starts. 

The South American Football Confederation said Argentina was removed as host because of the “present circumstances”. 

The country is currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases. 

Later yesterday, Conmebol confirmed Brazil would host the show-piece event, which starts on 13 June. 

No stadiums have yet been announced for the tournament in Brazil. 

“Conmebol thanks the president @jairbolsonaro and his team, as well as the Brazilian Football Confederation for opening the doors of that country to what is today the safest sporting event in the world. South America will shine in Brazil with all its stars!” Conmebol said on Twitter.

Argentina was originally set to co-host with Colombia, who were removed on 20 May with widespread protests sweeping the country. 

Opposition to the tournament had grown both inside and outside Argentina’s government, while Uruguay striker Luis Suarez told reporters on Friday that priority had to be given “to the health of human beings”.

On 22 May Argentina went into a new nine-day lockdown after seeing 35 000 new cases each day that week. 

Meanwhile, in Brazil, protests over the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by the government of President Jair Bolsonaro took place on Saturday. 

Brazil has registered nearly 460,000 deaths — the second-highest toll in the world after the United States. It also has the third-highest number of recorded coronavirus cases at more than 16 million.

Brazil’s Senate is holding an inquiry into the Bolsonaro government’s handling of the pandemic and the slow roll-out of the vaccine programme. 

Brazil are defending champions, having won the tournament in 2019. 

The Brazilians have labelled Conmebol’s decision to bring Copa America to their country as “bizarre” and “out of touch”. 

They are surprised with the decision to move the Copa America to a country which continues to be a hotspot in the pandemic, with an average of 2,000 deaths a day. 

Brazilian cities are experiencing an upsurge in infections as restrictions are lifted and many people continue to ignore advice to socially distance and wear masks. — BBC Sport