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”.
South America
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.
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.