The Minister of Sport of Colombia, Ernesto Lucena, ratified this Saturday, May 15, 2021 that the Government remains firm with the organization of the America Cup together with Argentina, despite the uncertainty unleashed by the social protests that began more than two weeks ago.
“Let’s use the Copa América as a bond of peace, of expression,” Lucena said during a press conference.
“I know there are different positions regarding the event, but today Colombia, more than ever and as in 2001, needs the Copa América,” he added.
The Copa América, which was to be played in 2020, was postponed for this year and is scheduled to be played from June 13 to July 10.
The threat of protests looms over the tournament, which began on April 28 and so far have left 42 dead (41 civilians and one police officer), in events marked by police brutality and vandalism.
Precisely, the violent demonstrations have opened a debate in the country in which many cry out, even in the streets, because Colombia desists from organizing a tournament in the midst of a crisis whose end is not perceived near.
In this sense, Minister Lucena assured today that on “the issue of security”, the Government will deliver to the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) a report with which it seeks to give “a piece of tranquility” to that body for tournament.
This is after the fact that in the matches that were played this week in the cities of Pereira and Barranquilla, the latter venue for the Copa América final, there were incidents between the Police and the protesters.
The most delicate situation was experienced in Barranquilla, where the matches between Junior-River Plate and América de Cali-Atlético Mineiro were stopped on several occasions because tear gas from the riots reached the Romelio Martínez stadium, the headquarters of those sporting sets.
“We are going to go to the end, Colombia cannot send that message that we are going to give up or cancel the Copa América. We respect Conmebol’s decisions and we are at stake with what they saw this week, which was to unanimously reinforce that the Copa América be held in Colombia and Argentina, ”said the senior official.
The technical commission of the Brazilian soccer team He expressed his “concern” on Friday about the violent protests that have taken place in Colombia for two weeks, with a month to go before his debut in the Copa América.
“There is something that is above, which is the physical integrity of all of us, that of the players and that of all the squad personnel. We are accompanying him, but yes, we have that concern, “said coach Tite at a press conference.
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– Sports The Commerce (@deportesec) May 15, 2021
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