Brazil use Ronaldinho to fish for tourists in ambassadorial role, but keep his passport
September 6 – Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho Gaucho has been named a tourism ambassador in Brazil despite his travel ban.
South America
CBF brings in financial fair play giving clubs have 3 years to evolve
September 2 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will introduce new fair play rules that clubs will have to comply with from 2020, but sanctions for rule-breakers will only be enforced from 2023 onwards.
Lightning strikes twice: Boca Juniors and River Plate to renew Copa Libertadores battle
August 30 – In a rematch of last year’s tumultuous Copa Libertadores final Boca Juniors will play Buenos Aires rivals River Plate in the last four of the competition after eliminating Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno. In the other semi-final, Flamengo will meet Gremio in an all-Brazilian affair.
Conmebol repeats high ticket price policy for Copa Libertadores final in Chile
August 22 – In a repeat of the 2019 Copa America, Conmebol has set high ticket prices for November’s Copa Libertadores final in Santiago, Chile, pricing the majority of South American fans out of the showpiece event.
Clubs concerned as Brazilian rhythm interrupted by long VAR pauses
August 13 – Brazilian club matches truncated by the intervention of VAR have stirred a nationwide debate over the pros and cons of the new technology. To remedy the situation, Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras have demanded the clubs meet the CBF’s refereeing committee.
Argentine World Cup legend ‘Tata’ Brown dies, aged 62
August 13 – Argentine legend Jose Luis ‘Tata’ Brown, who scored the opening goal in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany, has died at the age of 62.
No-nonsense Conmbeol his Gabriel Jesus with 2-month international ban
August 8 – Conmebol has handed Manchester City and Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus a two-month international suspension and a £25,000 fine for his unruly behaviour during the Copa America final.
Corinthians critical of police arrest of anti-Bolsonaro chanting fan
August 7 – Brazilian giants Corinthians have criticised the arrest of a supporter who protested against Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro during his club’s home game with Palmeiras. Brazilian police say they detained the fan for his own safety.
Conmebol hits Messi with 3-month ban for ‘corrupt’ allegations
August 5 – Lionel Messi has been banned from international football for three months after claiming the Copa America was “corrupt”.
Scaloni extends his Argentine contract to end of 2022 World Cup qualifiers
July 31 – Lionel Scaloni has extended his contract with Argentina until the end of the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced.
Police drop Neymar rape allegations case due to lack of evidence
July 30 – Police investigating rape allegations against Brazilian star Neymar say they have closed the case due to a lack of evidence.
Conmebol strips Tapia of FIFA Council seat after he criticises Copa America refs
July 24 – Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia (pictured) has been stripped by Conmebol of his place on the FIFA Council following criticism of this year’s Copa America in Brazil.
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.
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.