Colombia stripped of Copa America hosting rights amid ongoing protests
Colombia will no longer cohost the 2021 Copa America after a series of protests in the country.
The tournament was set to be held between Colombia and Argentina for the first time in its 105-year history, BBC Sport reported.
There have been widespread protests against the government in Colombia, with demonstrators disrupting some Copa Libertadores matches.
The final of the 10-team tournament, which runs from June 13-July 10, was due to be held in Barranquilla.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) took the games off Colombia after previously rejecting a proposal to move them to November, saying it was “impossible”.
“We guarantee the realization of the 2021 Copa America and in the coming days will inform on the relocation of those games that were to be held in Colombia,” CONMEBOL said. Argentina has offered to host the entire tournament.
Protests have been ongoing in Colombia since April after the government tried to implement a controversial tax plan.
The proposal was revoked but protestors have continued to demonstrate against police brutality, poor wages and a lack of opportunities for young people.
A number of continental cup matches have been moved from Colombia to Paraguay and Ecuador because of the protests.
Colombia has also been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with the death toll surpassing 83,000 this week.
Argentina is under a strict lockdown until May 31 after a new wave of cases in the country.
Brazil is defending champion from when the tournament was last held in 2019.
Real Madrid will have to win at home against Villarreal to have any chance but the omens looks good for Zinedine Zidane’s side, given its opponent may not be at full strength.
Villarreal is in a three-way battle to finish fifth and sixth, with the team that comes seventh dropping out of the Europa League and into the new and less lucrative Europa Conference League.
But Villarreal could do even better and qualify for the Champions League if it defeats Manchester United in the Europa League final, four days after the game at Valdebebas.
“We will have an eye on the Manchester United game,” said Villarreal coach Unai Emery on Wednesday.
A draw for Atletico could mean the top two are tied on