Brazil plays on despite mounting Covid death toll
March 11 – In Brazil, the ball keeps rolling, even as the country experiences it most dramatic moment of the coronavirus pandemic yet, breaking national daily death toll records day after day.
South America
Conmebol cancels March World Cup qualifiers as European clubs refuse player releases
March 8 – South America’s World Cup qualifiers in March have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions, leaving continental governing body Conmebol with a headache to reschedule the fixtures in a heavily congested calendar.
Coronavirus: Three states suspend play as calls for break mount in Brazil
March 5 – Brazilian football is under pressure to suspend play with three states having halted the local state tournaments and calls for common sense to be applied in light of Brazil’s dramatic spike in Covid-19 deaths.
Conmebol and FIFA lobby European clubs to release players for March World Cup qualifiers
March 3 – Conmebol and FIFA are seeking to convince European clubs to allow their players to travel for March’s World Cup qualifiers. Brazil have postponed their call-up, which had been scheduled for Friday.
Calendar clash forces Australia and Qatar out of guesting at Copa America
February 24 – Australia and Qatar, the two non-South American teams due to take part in this year’s Copa America, have pulled out of the competition – the oldest in international football – because of scheduling conflicts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Palmeiras coach demands CBF transparency on rumoured Caboclo/Infantino calendar deal
February 16 – CBF president Rogerio Caboclo has rejected renewed criticism from Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira over Brazil’s congested club calendar.
Argentine striking legend Leopold Luque dies, aged 71
February 16 – Leopoldo Luque, the instantly recognisable moustachioed striker who played a key role in Argentina’s first ever World Cup on home soil in 1978, died on Monday of a heart attack while he was receiving treatment for Covid-19, according to the hospital where he was being treated.
Flamengo seek €5m loan but banking on €22m of player sales
February 10 – Brazilian club Flamengo is seeking a €5.3 million loan to provide working capital for the start of the 2021 season.
Argentine and Uruguayan fans mourn death of ‘Morro’, aged 30
February 8 – Fans in Argentina and Uruguay are mourning the apparent suicide at just 30 of forward Santiago Garcia, nicknamed ‘Morro’, who played for Godoy Cruz.
Palmeiras win Copa Libertadores in injury time and head for Club World Cup
February 2 – A dramatic injury-time header from substitute Breno Lopes crowned Palmeiras Copa Libertadores champions for a second time with a 1-0 victory over Brazilian rivals Santos after a final that failed to ignite until stoppage time.
Palmeiras and Santos play off for Copa Libertadores final and a trip to Qatar next week
January 29 – On Saturday, Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras and Santos will seek to succeed Flamengo as winners of the Copa Libertadores in a final that will be played behind closed doors at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
Defensa y Justicia win all-Argentinean battle for Copa Sudamericana
January 26 – Hernan Crespo and Defensa y Justicia clinched their first ever international title with a 3-0 victory against Lanus in the Copa Sudamericana final.
Battle of Buenos Aires: Lanus and Defensa y Justicia line up for Copa Sudamerica final
January 22 – On Saturday, Argentine clubs Lanus and Defensa y Justicia will contest the 2020 Copa Sudamericana final behind closed doors in Cordoba, the first continental final in South America since the coronavirus pandemic.
Palmeiras and Santos set up all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final
January 14 – Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras and Santos will decide the 2020 Copa Libertadores after eliminating River Plate and Boca Juniors in the last four, making the showpiece match an all-Brazilian affair for the first time since 2006.
Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras and Santos have edge over Argentine rivals in first leg ties
January 7 – Palmeiras and Santos are in control of their own destinies in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals after the Sao Paulo clubs successfully navigated tricky away legs in Argentina.