A justice of Brazil's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the country's ousted soccer confederation president should be returned to office. Justice Gilmar Mendes annulled a Rio de Janeiro court ruling dated Dec. 7 that removed Ednaldo Rodrigues and all his executives from their jobs at the confederation, known as the CBF, because of irregularities in the 2022 election process. The move comes four days before FIFA and South American soccer body CONMEBOL executives visit to discuss an allegedly undue third-party interference at the top of the CBF.
Copa America is without a host country only two weeks before kickoff after South American soccer body CONMEBOL ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. CONMEBOL said on Twitter — and it was later confirmed by an official — that it was analyzing “the offer of other nations who showed interest in hosting the continental tournament,” without naming them. Copa America is scheduled to be played between June 13 and July 10.
Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. CONMEBOL said on Twitter that the tournament is confirmed to take place between June 13 and July 10.