Venezuela hit by Covid-19 on the eve of Copa America opener

Twelve of Venezuela’s players and coaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19 a day before their Copa America opener against hosts Brazil.

All of those to test positive were asymptomatic and have been isolated in a hotel.

The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) is yet to confirm if Sunday’s match will proceed.

Venezuela arrived in Brazil, the last-minute hosts of the tournament, on Friday.

Defenders Wilker Angel and Rolf Feltscher did not travel with the squad after they tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.

Venezuela’s fixture against Brazil is scheduled to be the opening fixture of the 10-team competition which runs until 10 July.

The Venezuelan team, as published with videos and photos on its page and social networks, vaccinated its entire delegation before the trip to Brazil, although most barely received the first dose of the Coronavac vaccine, from the Chinese laboratory Sinovac.

The names of those infected were not released. However, Conmebol announced that as a result of this situation and others that may arise in the rest of the teams, the clause of limiting a maximum of five changes in the player registration list, which is now open and without limit during the tournament.

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