Open letter: No to the Copa América in Brazil!
OPEN LETTER FROM LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETY TO THE PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL JAIR BOLSONARO AND THE PRESIDENT OF CONMEBOL ALEJANDRO DOMÍNGUEZ
On May 31, 2021, in the early morning hours, we learned that the Copa América would be held in Brazil, after the cancellation of the unprecedented edition co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina due to the health crisis. Colombia withdrew its participation due to the social, political, and health problems the Colombian people were experiencing, and, due to the resulting public pressure, was forced to withdraw. Argentina, due to the high number of infections and deaths in recent days, also decided to focus on managing the pandemic and saving lives rather than holding the event.
Brazil's infection and death rates are the highest on the continent and the second most alarming in the world. Today, the country reports more than 16 million cumulative cases of COVID-19 and nearly 461.900 DEATHSThis, coupled with the emergence of a "Brazilian" variant of coronavirus, has put pressure on biomedical science to study its effects on people and the effectiveness of vaccines against the new strain.
Therefore, as individuals, professionals, scientists, and citizens of the world, we express our condemnation of the organization of this event at the worst moment of the pandemic and in the most affected country in our region. We call for the CANCELLING of this event. insofar as the signal being given to the world is the worst possible in the face of the pain and suffering of millions of people.
Likewise, We invite footballers from all countries NOT TO PLAY in the Copa AmericaSince sport in general, and football in particular, is a public and popular good that has always been closely linked to the people. Those who enjoy this event do so with joy, experiencing the carnival atmosphere and celebrating the plays and the goals. However, today the conditions are not right for this, especially not in Brazil. Know that you will have the support of all your compatriots, those who do want to see you play and enjoy football, but first We want a football that respects human life. Without that, there can be no carnival.
We also ask all of you media sporting event that, should this competition take place, Do not participate in or publicize this eventYou too can contribute to saving lives and choose health and humanity over the market and the profits of a few.
That said, We demand that Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, and Mr. Alejandro Domínguez, President of CONMEBOL, suspend the Copa América.At the same time, we call on FIFA and all national and international organizations to intervene to prevent this event from taking place in Brazil because the necessary health conditions are not in place.
Because football is the people, joy, and life.
NO TO THE COPA AMERICA IN BRAZIL!
May 31th 2021
CLACSO Working Group
Sport, culture and society
This statement expresses the position of the Working Group Sport, culture and society and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.
