Brazil Supreme Court To Consider Requests To Halt Copa America
Aerial view of Nilton Santos stadium ahead of Copa America Brazil 2021 on June 08, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After a controversial decision, CONMEBOL determined Brazil will host the next Copa America from June 13 to July 11. The tournament, initially planned to be co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina, will be organized by Brazil, a country hit hard by coronavirus and a political crisis. Host Cities will be Rio de Janeiro, Cuiaba, Goiania and Brasilia. Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Brazil Supreme Court has agreed to hear the requests regarding blocking Copa America from taking place in the South American country.

According to an Aljazeera report, several groups and individuals have raised concerns about Brazil hosting Copa America amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief Justice Luiz Fux said Tuesday, June 8, that due to the exceptional nature of the matter, he had decided to have the whole 11-member of the court hear the matter in a virtual session scheduled on Thursday, June 10.

Some team coaches and players and Brazilian Senate staffers have been concerned and questioning the continuation of the tournament in Brazil, citing the rising cases and death rates. The tournament was scheduled to start on Sunday to last through July 10.

Concerns on Copa America

On Sunday, June 6, Argentina had confirmed that they would participate in the Copa America in Brazil. The country's football association said that Argentina confirms its participation as a reflection of their sportsmanship throughout history, according to a France 24 report.

AFA said it would provide all needed tools to guarantee the specific care required to meet health protocols during the Copa America.

However, Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni said that it is alarming and worrying, adding that Brazil is not the best place to hold the games. He noted that if they have to go, they will play and make the Copa the best it can be.

Scaloni said as of now, they are focused on the game with Colombia. He added that they want to base themselves in their training camp, saying it is great peace of mind for them.

The Argentinian coach noted that they do not know what will happen after the playoff games are over, but it is very important for them to stay at home, The World Game reported.

Meanwhile, Chile's Uruguayan coach Martin Lasarte said that the decision of Brazil to host the tournament is a huge risk.

Copa America Hosting

CONMEBOL had announced that the tournament would be moved to Brazil after Argentina was dropped as host on Sunday, which was 10 days after Colombia was removed from hosting the games.

According to a The Athletic report, the decision to remove Argentina from its hosting duties came after the country had suspended its domestic football season until at least May 30 due to the second wave of the pandemic.

Copa America was initially set to begin in Argentina, and the champion was to be crowned at the final in Colombia. It would have been the first Copa America to be hosted by two countries.

Colombia was relieved of its co-hosting duties due to the unrest and protest over its response to the pandemic.

Protests started in April after President Ivan Duque had proposed a tax reform bill as a COVID-19 pandemic relief measure, which included a tax hike on basic needs such as milk, eggs, gasoline, and utilities.

The protests have continued despite Duque withdrawing the said tax reform bill on May 2.

WATCH: Brazil Captain Suggests Hosts Against Taking Part in Copa America - From Al Jazeera English