The Supreme Court began voting on Thursday on whether or not to maintain the Copa América in Brazil, with three first judges ruling in favor of the organization from Sunday of the highly controversial tournament, in a country where nearly 480,000 people died from COVID-19.
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If three other magistrates give the green light, the majority of the 11 judges will be acquired for the kick-off in three days, with the opening match between Brazil and Venezuela, in Brasilia.
The 11 judges have until 11:59 p.m. this Thursday to rule on the appeals filed by two left-wing parties and a metalworkers’ union demanding the cancellation of the competition.
The session of the Supreme Court is virtual, without debates between the magistrates, who send their written votes in turn.
Judge Carmen Lucia decided to dismiss these appeals, arguing that the responsibility for whether or not to allow the matches to be held rested with the authorities of the states or cities where they will take place.
“It is up to them to enforce the protocols to avoid a ‘Copavirus’, with more infections and the circulation of new strains,” she said.
Even if the appeals end up being rejected, that does not amount to a blank check by the Supreme Court in favor of the Copa América.
“The rejection of the appeals does not mean that the competent authorities should not take the necessary decisions at the health and safety level to ensure compliance with the protocols in force,” said Judge Marco Aurelio Melo.
“No scientific basis
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, announced last week that he would not hesitate to ban matches scheduled in his city if the health situation worsened.
Judge Ricardo Lewandowski voted along the same lines as his two colleagues, but he also called on the government of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro to present a detailed plan of preventive measures before the tournament begins.
Although he felt that it was not the responsibility of the Supreme Court to cancel the Copa América, he criticized the fact that the government agreed to organize it off the cuff despite the seriousness of the health situation. .
“The way in which the organization of the Copa America in our country was announced, so suddenly, reveals, at first glance, that this decision was taken without scientific, technical or strategic basis,” said Judge Lewandowski.
On May 31, the South American Confederation (Conmebol) announced to everyone’s surprise that Brazil would host the tournament, after the withdrawals of Colombia, then Argentina.
La Conmebol had especially thanked President Bolsonaro for having “opened the doors of his country for the safest sporting event in the world”.
Disgruntled Sponsors
This decision sparked an outcry in Brazil, a country yet crazy about soccer, due to the seriousness of the health situation, with around 2,000 deaths per day for about two months and the threat of a third wave for the next few weeks. .
Several Copa América sponsors have expressed their dissatisfaction.
Mastercard decided Wednesday to withdraw its logo from the competition, a first since it began to sponsor it in 1992. The American company will however honor its sponsorship contract. Brazilian brewer Ambev, part of global giant AB Invev, has made a similar decision.
On Tuesday evening, the players of the Brazilian national team expressed their dissatisfaction with the tournament, but ultimately ruled out any boycott.
“We are against the organization of the Copa America, but we will never say no to the Brazilian selection,” they wrote on social networks.
On Wednesday, coach Tite announced his list for the competition, with the return of defender Thiago Silva, recovering from a thigh injury.
It is the only change in the group which obtained two beautiful victories on the same score of 2-0 against Ecuador on Friday and Paraguay on Tuesday, with a great Neymar, author of a goal and an assist in each match.
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