August 7 – The coronavirus is still raging in South America, but clubs traveling for Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana matches will not have to quarantine when crossing borders.
South America’s football authority Conmbol has secured waivers for clubs competing in its two flagship tournaments after negotiations with national governments. This will allow the governing body to plough ahead with its plans for a Copa Libertadores restart in the middle of September. The Copa Sudamericana is set to kick off in October.
Conmebol has created a detailed medial protocol that will allow teams to spend a maximum of 72 hours in another country, but restrict their movements to the airport, hotel, training ground and stadium. The federation also plans to charter flights for the clubs as the South American airline industry is struggling amid the pandemic.
Paraguay was the first country to see football back in South America. This weekend domestic leagues in Uruguay, Brazil and Peru will get underway as well. On Monday, clubs in Argentina can train again and next weekend Ecuador hopes to restart its league.
South America has been hit hard by the new coronavirus pandemic, with more than 4 million cases and almost 150,000 deaths. Brazil accounts for the majority of deaths.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714846100labto1714846100ofdlr1714846100owedi1714846100sni@o1714846100fni1714846100