Chile players fined for COVID-19 breach at Copa America

A group of unnamed Chile players have been fined following a breach of the Copa America’s strict coronavirus protocols, the Football Federation of Chile (FFC) announced on Sunday.

Chile’s preparations for Monday’s clash with Uruguay have been thrown into disarray after a number of players were sanctioned for inviting a barber into their team bubble in Brazil amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Spanish news outlet Marca reported there was a further breach, with at least five players allegedly inviting several women to the team hotel.

The FFC did not confirm or address the claims in the statement released amid doubts over the future of head coach Martin Lasarte.

“The Chilean Football Federation and the coaching staff of the Chilean men’s national team recognise the breach of the health bubble of the delegation that participates in the Copa America, with the unauthorised entry of a hairdresser who, despite having a PCR negative, he should not have come into contact with the players. Those involved will be financially sanctioned,” the FFC said in a statement.

“We regret what caused this situation and we inform that all the members of the delegation had a negative PCR test this Saturday, June 19.”

The 2021 Copa America has been plagued by issues due to the COVID-19 health crisis, having been postponed and re-located from Colombia and Argentina, with all matches played behind closed doors.

Four of the 10 teams competing at the Copa America have had players or staff test positive to COVID-19, including one Chilean delegation member last week.

 Comunicado público Selección Chilena
https://t.co/LTwTIWOLG3 pic.twitter.com/TQppACd2TJ

— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja) June 20, 2021

The FFC did not publicly identify which players were involved in the breach relating to the hairdresser, but Chile captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo insisted they would take responsibility.

“The situation definitely affects us,” he said. “We didn’t train in our ‘normal’ conditions but we did work at the hotel.

“Those that were involved take responsibility for it and will have to deal with the consequences.”

Chile – who won the Copa in 2015 and 2016, and have four points from two games – are scheduled to play Uruguay in Cuiaba on Monday.