Chile admitted that its soccer players have violated the COVID protocols at the Copa America tournament.

The Football Federation of Chile issued a statement on Sunday noting that Chilean soccer players violated restrictions by allowing the entry of a barber, who tested negative for COVID-19, according to The Hill report.

Among the Chile soccer players involved were inter Milan midfielder Arturo Vidal and team captain Gary Medel.

FFC said that those involved will be properly sanctioned. They also acknowledge the health bubble of the delegation that participates in the Copa America.

The Federation added that the entry of the barber should not come into contact with the players despite the negative COVID test result.

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Chile Soccer Players Violating COVID Protocols

At least five soccer players from Chile reportedly invited women to join them at the Gran Hotel Odara where the squad is staying during the Copa America tournament.

The team's technical director Martin Lasarte said that he is expected to hand out serious punishments with the players involved in the incident, according to a Marca report.

Lasarte added that the following sanctions could include being sent back to Chile.

Some of the players involved were Jean Meneses, Pablo Galdames, Pablo Aranguiz, and Eduardo Vargas.

Medel and Vidal were also among those in the incident, although there was no official confirmation about the said party.

A few days before Chile's match against Bolivia, Medel and Vidal were given a $30,000 fine each by CONMEBOL after the barber incident.

The news of the Chilean soccer players violating COVID protocols came after the first week of the Copa America games.

Copa America COVID Cases

Four of the 10 teams have seen players or officials self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. The teams include Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela, according to an ESPN report.

On Friday, Brazil's government said that 82 people had contracted COVID-19 concerning the Copa America soccer tournament that is taking place in Brazil.

Brazil's health ministry said in a statement that 6, 926 tests were conducted, with 37 players and staffers of the teams plus 45 tournament workers tested positive of COVID-19.

The cities hosting the tournament have cases related to the games. The said cities are Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Cuiaba, and Goiania, according to an Associated Press report.

Brazil had stepped in as an emergency host despite the country being the second-highest number of recorded deaths.

Copa America was meant to be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia. However, the two countries were relieved from their hosting duties as Colombia faces social unrest and COVID cases continue to peak in Argentina, according to The Guardian report.

Meanwhile, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro defended its decision to host the games.

The president said that the decision was not up for discussion and that the tournament did not pose a health risk, according to a BBC report.

He added that he had spoken with the health minister, noting that they had agreed to host the event.

The Supreme Court had earlier given Bolsonaro five days to submit information on the government's decision to host the tournament.

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