Copa America 2021: Bolivia and Chile Announce More COVID-19 Positive Football Players, Staff Amid Tournament
Bolivia and Chile announced more COVID-19 positive patients from their teams amid the Copa America tournament held in Brazil. The announcement from the two participants marked four out of ten teams in football league to have individuals who tested positive for the notorious disease, according to a report from Reuters.
To date, the teams with individuals who contracted the virus are namely, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, and Chile.
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Copa America: More COVID Positive Patients Rise from 4 Football Teams
The announcement was made by Chile and Bolivia on Thursday, saying that the positive patients from both countries were composed of football players and staff. Chile announced that an individual tested positive from their team, but they did not specify whether the patient is a player or a staff member.
Bolivia on the other hand confirmed that the COVID patients from their teams were two players. The team identified the players as Oscar Ribera and Jaume Cuellar. Apart from the latest number of positive patients, Bolivia has earlier seen three more COVID positive players from their team, including their talismanic striker, Marcelo Martins.
The three COVID positive individuals mentioned by Chile and Bolivia mark the latest patients apart from the 52 cases related to Copa America, released by the Health Ministry of Brazil, according to NBC Sports. 33 of the 52 were reported to be players or staff members.
It can be remembered that Venezuela was the first team in Copa America that had COVID-positive individuals. Eight players tested positive from their team, making them call 15 players to play against Brazil in the tournament's opening match.
Because of the rising number of COVID-positive patients related to Copa America, players like Marcelo Martins expressed their thoughts on the issue. Martins blasted the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and blamed the organization for the rising number of positive individuals.
"Thank you for this CONMEBOL. It is completely your fault," said Martins on Instagram. The Bolivian striker also asked what CONMEBOL will do if in case someone dies. "What matters to you is money. The lives of players are not worth anything," said Martins.
Despite the Bolivian striker's retaliation to CONMEBOL, Martins expressed apologies after the disciplinary proceedings. However, Reuters noted that other football players have also expressed their fear or anxiety over the health risk they are facing while representing their country in Copa America.
Copa America: Venezuela Draw 0-0 With Colombia
Although the number of COVID-positive patients continues to rise in the tournament, Copa America continued on Thursday, as Venezuela and Colombia faced each other in the field. The match between the two teams concluded in a draw with Venezuela shutting out a goal from Colombia.
"I want to congratulate the rival keeper for his great performance," said Reinaldo Rueda, the coach of Colombia, adding that they must improve their finishing moves.
The result of the game made Colombia to the top of Group B, garnering four points with their first two games and making them a point ahead of Brazil. Brazil was now set to face Peru for their next Copa America match.
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