Copa America: Bolivia striker faces sanction after criticising organisers

Bolivian striker Marcelo Martins criticised CONMEBOL for hosting the Copa America amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marcelo Martins was one of the Bolivian players who missed the team’s opening 3-1 loss to Paraguay, because, local press said, he tested positive for COVID-19.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has opened disciplinary proceedings against Bolivian striker Marcelo Martins after he criticised the organisation for hosting the Copa America amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONMEBOL's disciplinary committee has asked the Cruzeiro player to prepare a defense after his sharp words were posted on social media, a source within the organisation told Reuters .

"Thanks for this CONMEBOL," Martins wrote on

Instagram in a message he later deleted. "All the blame is totally yours. If someone dies what are you going to do??? The only thing that's important to you is MONEY. Is a player's life worth nothing?"

READ: Brazil counts 52 virus cases connected to Copa America

Martins was one of the Bolivian players who missed the team’s opening 3-1 loss to Paraguay, because, local press said, he tested positive for COVID-19.

Five Bolivian players tested positive although their names were not revealed.

Martins is just the latest to criticise the decision to host the Copa America in Brazil, a nation where about half a million people have died after contracting the coronavirus.

The tournament was supposed to be held jointly in Colombia, which withdrew due to civil unrest, and Argentina, which pulled out when COVID-19 cases surged.

Brazil stepped in to organise the tournament with less than two weeks notice and already 33 players or officials with the 10 competing teams have tested positive.