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Copa América: Marcelo Martins banned from criticizing organizers

2021-06-22T22:32:33.614Z


The corona pandemic is still raging in Brazil. Nevertheless, the Copa America takes place there. The association does not want to hear criticism: The Bolivian Marcelo Martins is facing a one-year ban.


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Apologized after his statement on Instagram: Bolivian striker Marcelo Martins (archive image)

Photo:

Alberto Valdés / POOL / EPA

The South American Football Association (Conmebol) has suspended the Bolivian striker Marcelo Martins for a game and fined the equivalent of around 16,800 euros.

With this, the association responded to the footballer's criticism of the Copa America taking place in Brazil.

In the event of repetition, he faces a one-year ban, according to the association's disciplinary committee.

Martins was one of three Bolivian players who tested positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the 3-1 opening defeat against Paraguay and thus missed the game.

The day after the game, he criticized Conmebol's last-minute decision to host the tournament in Brazil - a nation where nearly 500,000 people have already died from the virus - on social media.

"Thanks for this CONMEBOL," Martins wrote on Instagram.

“The guilt is entirely yours.

When someone dies what will you do ???

The only thing that matters to you is MONEY.

Is a gamer's life worth nothing? "

He later withdrew the comments and apologized.

Nevertheless, CONMEBOL banned the 34-year-old from Bolivia's next game against Chile on Friday.

He is allowed to play in the third game against Uruguay on June 25th.

Since Martin's statements, two other Bolivian players have tested positive for Covid-19.

A total of five out of ten teams have reported corona cases.

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, 27 players and officials have so far tested positive for the corona virus.

The Copa América is the oldest football tournament in the world.

Two weeks before the start, the tournament was moved to Brazil after Argentina and Colombia canceled due to the pandemic.

tfb / AP / Reuters

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-06-22

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