Copa America opens in Brazil against backdrop of COVID crisis

Long-delayed football tournament comes amid still-surging pandemic in Brazil, which has registered more than 486,000 deaths.

After uncertainty over what country would host it, a Brazilian Supreme Court hearing about its possible postponement, and coronavirus infections reported by three teams, the long-delayed Copa America football tournament has opened in Brazil’s capital. Hosts Brazil opened the international contest against Venezuela at 6:00pm local time (2100 GMT) on Sunday in an empty Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia. The opening match comes just days after local health authorities reported that Venezuelan players and staff had tested positive for COVID-19, which has ravaged Brazil and led to more than 486,000 deaths.