Uruguay national football team coach Marcelo Bielsa has been suspended by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) for returning to the pitch late for the second half of the first two Copa America games. The suspension will prevent Bielsa from attending his team’s match against the United States on Monday.
CONMEBOL announced Sunday that Bielsa had violated tournament regulations, leading to a $15,000 fine for the Uruguayan Football Association. Copa America rules stipulate that players must be back on the pitch at a specific time after the break, with a booking after the first violation. Uruguay returned late for the second half in its wins over Panama and Bolivia, leading to Bielsa being suspended after the second violation.
Bielsa’s suspension is in line with sanctions handed down to three other Argentine coaches during the tournament: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Ricardo Gareca (Chile) and Fernando Batista (Venezuela), who were penalised for the same offence.
In response to the suspension, Bielsa suggested adjustments were needed in the timing regulations. He argued that the clock should start when the team reaches the locker room rather than at the end of the first half, due to the varying distances between the field and the locker rooms in different stadiums.
Uruguay, aiming for their record 16th Copa America title, currently top their group with six points and a goal difference of plus seven after two wins. The team will qualify with at least a tie against the United States on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri. Team USA has three points and a goal difference of plus one.
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