Former Conmebol boss Deluca fined after Swiss money laundering probe
May 26 – A former secretary general of Conmebol, Eduardo Deluca (pictured), has been fined CHF 5,000 as part of an official Swiss inquiry into money laundering.
South America
Argentina to hold all Copa America matches after Colombian unrest forces venue switch
May 21 – Just weeks before the start of the tournament, Colombia have been stripped of joint hosting rights for the Copa America, leaving Argentina to stage the entire event next month or share with 11th-hour replacement co-hosts.
Argentina ready to go it alone with Copa America hosting if Colombian unrest continues
May 20 – Argentina have offered to stage the whole of the Copa America on their own rather than share with joint hosts Colombia, where a wave of civil unrest has rocked the country since late April.
Copa America set to go ahead despite Colombian civil unrest and Covid carnage
May 17 – Organisers of the oldest continental competition in world football, the Copa America, are reported to be backing joint hosts Colombia to stage this year’s tournament despite widespread civil unrest.
Conmebol hands showpiece club finals to Montevideo after Uruguayans inject influence
May 14 – Conmebol has picked Montevideo and the historic Estadio Centenario as the venue for the 2021 final of both its flagship club competitions, the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sul-Americana.
Caboclo under pressure at CBF as misconduct allegations surface
May 12 – The much-plagued Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is experiencing an internal crisis with supremo Rogerio Caboclo (pictured) on the brink of exiting the governing body.
Conmebol confirm packed calendar of international fixtures
April 26 – South American football will face a demanding calendar this summer as governing body Conmebol announced that World Cup qualifying will resume in June before the Copa America kicks off.
Conmebol to fight covid with 50,000 vaccines donated by China
April 14 – In an act of football diplomacy, China and pharmaceutical company Sinovac have donated 50,000 doses of their Covid-19 vaccine to Conmebol, with the South American governing body indicating it will inoculate top-flight players around the continent.
Flamengo beat Palmeiras on penalties to win Brazilian Super Cup
April 12 – Flamengo claimed their first prize of the season winning the Brazilian Super Cup 6-5 on penalties against Palmeiras on Sunday.
Parents of fire victim set to sue Flamengo; club to buy covid vaccines for players and fans
April 9 – In their legal dispute with Flamengo, the parents of the late Christian Esmerio are demanding 10 million reais (€1.5 million) in damages from the Rio Club. In 2019, a night-time blaze swept through the Flamengo training centre on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, killing ten youth players.
Maracana to keep name unchanged after Rio flirts with Pele tribute
April 8 – Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium won’t be renamed after Pele following a decision by state legislators. The proposal for a name change had been mired in controversy.
Conmebol reports 2020 loss of $14.5m, but banking on Copa America for 2021 turnround
March 24 – South American governing body Conmebol incurred a loss of $14.5 million in 2020 due the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation announced on Tuesday at its annual congress.
Brazil’s covid chaos forces Rio shutdown as clubs scramble to get games played
March 23 – As the coronavirus pandemic deepens in Brazil, the country’s football competitions have been plunged into chaos with pressure mounting for a complete suspension of the national game.
Copa America to be played as 10 team comp after virus kills off non-Conmebol guests
March 16 – Co-hosts Argentina will kick off the 2020 Copa America in Buenos Aires on June 13, with South American Football Confederation Conmebol releasing the competition’s new calendar after both invitees Australia and Qatar withdrew because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Iconic Maracana to be given ‘Rei Pele Stadium’ moniker
March 12 – Brazil’s iconic Maracana stadium will be renamed ‘The Edson Arantes do Nascimento-Rei Pele stadium’ in honour of the country’s football legend Pele, following a decision by the Rio de Janeiro state legislature.