Colombia announced on Tuesday that it was considering a return of supporters to its stadiums with a 30% gauge for the 2021 Copa America. Co-organizer with Argentina and Colombia had seen the Copa postponed last year to cause of Covid-19.
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A ” Copa America without an audience wouldn’t make sense Sports Minister Ernesto Lucena told Caracol Radio. From this perspective, ” we are already working on the health protocol to have a capacity of around 30% “, he added.
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149,000 vaccinated out of 35 million
The minister clarified that the authorities could consider a higher gauge if the vaccination campaign progressed at a good pace and the cases of coronavirus decreased. This 47th edition of the Copa America, organized for the first time in two countries, is scheduled from June 11 to July 10.
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Colombia has relaxed health measures in recent weeks due to a decrease in cases and deaths from Covid-19. But only 149,000 people have been vaccinated so far, out of the 35 million expected in 2021. Bogota is to host three group stage matches, as well as the match for third place.
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The decision to reopen the stadiums rests with the mayors. However, the number two of the capital’s municipality, Luis Ernesto Gomez, recently declared that Bogota must prepare for matches without an audience. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced in February that it was considering an organization allowing the presence of spectators. Among the options are those of selling the tickets to people showing a negative PCR test or who have been vaccinated.
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no argentina sign
Asked about the possibility of Argentina withdrawing as co-organizer, Mr. Lucena assured that ” Colombia are in full capacity to host the Copa America if they have to do it individually “. But he added that he didn’t “received no message” Argentinian organizers.
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The Copa America will begin on June 11 with the opening match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires and the final is scheduled for July 10 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, on the Colombian Caribbean coast. The previous one was held in 2019 in Brazil, which won the final 3-1 against Peru.
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