Brazil hunt for new women’s coach as Vadao moves on
July 24 – Brazil have parted ways with their women’s coach Vadao just weeks after the World Cup. In France, the hosts eliminated Vadao’s team in the round of 16.
South America
Conmebol give Messi one-game ban but sidestep action over ‘corrupt’ claim
July 24 – Lionel Messi has been banned from Argentina’s first qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup and fined $1,500 by Conmebol after being sent off against Chile in the Copa America third-place playoff.
Messi claim of ‘fixed’ Copa America could land him two-year ban
July 10 – Lionel Messi’s much-publicised altercation with Conmebol, whom he accused of fixing Argentina’s Copa America semi-final in favour of hosts Brazil, could land the Barcelona star with a potential two-year ban according to local reports.
Brazil beat Peru in the Maracana to win Copa America
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 7 – Brazil won the Copa America for a ninth time on Sunday, defeating Peru 3-1 in the final to retain the championship on all five occasions they have staged it. Everton Cebolinha, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison were on the mark for the hosts.
It all gets Messi as Argentine accuses Copa America refs of being bent
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 7 – Argentina star Lionel Messi slammed Brazil and Conmebol for “corruption” after enduring a torrid end to the Copa America. He boycotted the medal ceremony in the third-place match to drive home his point.
Brazil vs Argentina ignites passions but extinguishes another Messi campaign
By Samindra Kunti in Belo Horizonte
July 3 – Lionel Messi’s wait for a major international team title goes on. On Tuesday night his Argentina were eliminated from the Copa America by hosts Brazil in a classic South American encounter that was high on emotions, but low in quality.
Copa America logistics descend into farce as Chile get stuck in traffic
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 2 – ‘Why are we so incompetent?’ lamented famous Brazilian football journalist Juca Kfouri last Friday when Chile’s team bus got stuck in Sao Paulo’s traffic gridlock en route to their quarter-final with Colombia at the Arena Corinthians.
Social media ‘Escobar’ wish sent to Colombia’s Tesillo after penalty miss
July 2 – A Colombian player says he was threatened via social media after his missed penalty kick in a Copa America shoot-out with Chile last week cost his country the chance to remain in the tournament.
Conmebol fines Brazil for homophobic fan chant
June 28 – Conmebol has slapped the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) with a fine of $15,000 over homophobic chants at the Copa America’s curtain raiser between hosts Brazil and Bolivia.
Copa America bosses count the cash and spin the criticisms
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 26 – Copa America organisers have said they are satisfied with the tournament so far despite of criticism over empty seats and lengthy VAR delays.
Brazil and Argentina progress to last eight of Copa America
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 24 – Brazil crushed Peru 5-0 after a devastating first half to ensure a spot in the last eight at the Copa America on home soil. Rivals Argentina will join the hosts in the quarter-finals at the expense of Qatar after a 2-0 win over the Asian champions.
Dudamel adds voice to criticism of Copa America that is struggling to catch fire
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 19 – Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel criticised the organization of the Copa America on Tuesday after his team’s impressive 0-0 draw with hosts Brazil in Salvador.
Brazil authorities seize Neymar properties over €15.9m tax claim
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 18 – Seemingly dispensable at his club PSG, out of the Copa America and accused of rape, the career of Neymar is sliding rapidly and on Monday the Brazil star was faced with even more legal entanglements as local justices in froze 36 of his properties for alleged tax evasion.
Brazil fans stay away as Copa America opens with suffocating ticket prices and big name failures
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 17 – Brazil kicked off the Copa America with a subdued 3-0 win against Bolivia. High tickets prices led to many empty seats during the opening weekend which saw Argentina’s misery continue with a 2-0 defeat by Colombia and Asian champions Qatar battle back to draw 2-2 with Paraguay.
Copa America kick-off fails to ignite Brazilian fans, but Neymar rape case has them engaged
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 14 – Brazil and Bolivia will kick off the Copa America tonight in a tournament that anyone could win but which has failed to generate much interest in the host nation so far.