Marcelo Bielsa of Uruguay Suspended for Copa Match Against USMNT
CONMEBOL has suspended Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa for the team’s 2024 Copa América group stage finale against the United States. The suspension is the result of Uruguay entering the pitch late for the start of the second half in their 5-0 victory over Bolivia on Thursday. Copa América regulations state that “teams must strictly respect the schedule set for the start of the game,” and that “the coach of the team concerned shall in all cases be held responsible” for infractions. The first violation results in a warning, while the second triggers a one-game suspension for the coach. The Uruguayan Football Association was also fined $15,000.
CONMEBOL has been cracking down on teams holding up game restarts during Copa América. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Chile coach Ricardo Gareca were both suspended earlier in the tournament for their teams’ late arrivals to the field. Venezuela coach Fernando Batista is suspended for his team’s group stage finale against Jamaica on Sunday due to the same violation.
Uruguay assistant coach Diego Reyes told a press conference the Copa América was a very tough tournament in that respect. “These sanctions are never taken well because it is a negative aspect for the team. We took the necessary precautions [to avoid delays] in the last game, but there were still uncertainties that could not be resolved,” Reyes said. “In a dressing room during a game you know there is a lot of activity going on, and in this tournament they have been very strict with that short period of time.”
A draw against the United States on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri, would guarantee Uruguay a place in the knockout stage of Copa América as Group C winners. “We have to put in the best performance we can. The U.S. are a very important opponent, they have players from the best leagues in the world and they have been doing well for a long time under the current coach,” Reyes said. “Like all teams, they have their ups and downs. They have carried the burden of playing big games. They have a balanced squad of players who have played together for a long time, which makes them an important and always difficult opponent.”
The USMNT is in a more precarious position after losing to Panama on Thursday. The Americans could advance to the knockout stage with any result, depending on what happens in the simultaneous Panama-Bolivia game. They could fall short of advancing even with a win over Uruguay if Panama makes up the goal-difference tiebreaker in a victory over Bolivia. “We have to go, and we have to represent our country with passion, pride,” U.S. captain Christian Pulisic said after Thursday’s loss to Panama. “We have to go and play the best game of our lives, and that’s it. We want to go, we want to win and we want to continue in this competition.”
Legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa will not be on Uruguay’s sideline when La Celeste faces the Copa América-host United States on Monday, CONMEBOL — South American soccer’s governing body and the tournament organizer — said on the eve of both teams’ final group stage match. Bielsa, the 68-year-old Argentine who has coached club teams in the top divisions in England, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, his home country plus Argentina’s national team, received a one-match ban after the Uruguayan players entered the field late during last week’s Group C match against Bolivia. La Celeste assistant Diego Reyes will handle coaching duties for Bielsa, who is not permitted to have any contact with his players or staff after they arrive at Arrowhead Stadium for the game.
“It goes without saying that this regulatory sanction is never well received, because it’s something negative,” Reyes told reporters on Sunday during Uruguay’s pre-match press conference. “We need to take it as it comes. I cannot say anything else.”
The 15-time Copa América champions are looking to break a tie with Argentina this summer for the most titles all-time. Uruguay won both of its first two contests at USA 2024, beating Panama 3-1 in its opener before routing La Verde 5-0 last time out. The squad features players from some of the top teams in European club soccer, including Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez.
There has been some speculation that several starters could be rested for Uruguay’s first round finale, though Reyes pointed out that his side has not officially qualified for the knockout stage. Only two teams from Group C will advance to the quarterfinals of the competition, which pre-dates FIFA’s World Cup as the oldest tournament in international soccer. Reyes added that no final decision on Uruguay’s lineup had been made as of Sunday afternoon, with La Celeste’s final training session scheduled for later in the day. “We would like to be first in our group. We’re going on the pitch to win,” he said. “There are many factors that are considered in determining that lineup. There’s the technical approach of our opponent that needs to be taken into consideration, and we’re working on that so that we can actually come up with the best possible lineup to take on the U.S.”
A loss would eliminate the Americans, who are not guaranteed to advance even if they win on Monday after losing their second game to the Panamanians. Uruguay is expecting the home side’s best performance yet. “It’s a very strong opponent with players that are currently performing in the world’s best leagues,” said goalkeeper Franco Israel. “As with any other team, they also have ups and downs. But the players have been playing together for a very long time, and all of that makes them a very tough opponent.”
Marcelo Bielsa, the coach of Uruguay, has been suspended by Copa America organisers CONMEBOL and will miss the game with the United States on Monday. Former Leeds United boss Bielsa has been punished by South American football’s governing body for a delay in Uruguay’s players entering the field in their Group C game with Bolivia on Thursday. Players were late to return from the locker room to start the second half at MetLife Stadium with the score 2-0. They went on to win the game 5-0 to move closer to a place in the quarterfinals. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) has also been fined $15,000 and warned of the consequences of any future infractions.
Assistant coach Diego Reyes will take Bielsa’s place on the sidelines at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. “These regulatory sanctions are never well received because it is something negative,” Reyes told reporters in a news conference on Sunday. “We took the necessary precautions in the last game and the one before it, but there were still a couple of unexpected events that could not be resolved. It’s a regulatory restriction and we need to take it as it comes.”
CONMEBOL’s regulations for the tournament state teams must “strictly respect the schedule set for the start of the game” and should follow the match delegate’s instructions for a “timely entrance to the field of play”. They also indicate that for any infringement “the coach of the team concerned shall in all cases be held responsible.” Bielsa and the AUF were issued with a warning after a delay against Panama in their opening game before a repeat offence against Bolivia triggered disciplinary action.
CONMEBOL is clamping down on hold ups to the start and restarting of play and has punished and fined a number of coaches and federations at the tournament being held in the U.S. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and opposite number Ricardo Gareca were suspended for their final game of Group A on Saturday while Venezuela coach Fernando Batista will miss Sunday night’s match with Jamaica.
Uruguay will advance to the quarterfinals with a draw on Monday night. The USMNT must match or better Panama’s result against Bolivia if they are to progress.
Source: Jeff Kassouf, Doug McIntyre, The Athletic
