Venezuela startedthe Copa America 2021 with uncertainty after a Covid-19 outbreak affected the team. According to the Venezuelan federation, eight players and three members of the staff tested positive. However, Conmebol said there were 13 positive cases but neither of the institutions gave names.
To solve the situation, Conmebol changed the rules so Venezuela could call new players to substitute the casualties and 15new players, all part of Venezuelan clubs, were called to join the first squad in Brazil this Saturday.
Despite Venezuela’s coach José Peseiro didn’t want to give the names of the players who tested positive in order to protect their privacy, Venezuelan journalists have leakedthe players who are infected, while someothersconfirmed they were positive themselves.
Venezuela’s roster for the Copa America 2021
Midfielder Tomás Rincón announced on his Instagram that he didn’t travel with the team because he had symptoms of Covid-19. Jefferson Savarino and Josef Martinez also confirmed through their socials they were casualties.
According to Venezuelan journalists, theotherplayers who traveled to Brazil and tested positive are: Jhon Chancellor, Mikel Villanueva, Romulo Otero, Roberto Rosales, Jhonder Cadiz andRafael Romo.So, this is La Vinotinto’s squad for the tournament:
Goalkeepers (5): Wuilker Fariñez (Lens), Joel Graterol (América de Cali), Yhonatan Yustiz (Aragua), Giancarlo Schiavone (Metropolitanos), Luis Romero (Portuguesa).
Defenders (10): Eduardo Fereira (Caracas), Diego Osorio, Francisco La Mantía (Deportivo La Guaira) Luis Mago (Universidad de Chile), Nahuel Ferraresi(Moreirense), Alexander González (Málaga), Yohan Cumana (Deportivo La Guaira), Jose Martinez (Philadelphia Union), Ronald Hernandez (Atlanta United), Luiz Martinez (La Guaira).
Midfielders (12): Leonardo Flores (Caracas), Cristhian Rivas (Estudiantes de Mérida), Christian Larotonda (Metropolitanos), Abrahan Bahacille (Metropolitanos), Richard Figueroa (Zamora), Robinson Flores (Metropolitanos), Cristian Cásseres Jr (NY Red Bulls), Junior Moreno (DC United), Jhon Murillo (Tondela), Bernaldo Manzano (Deportivo Lara), Edson Castillo (Caracas FC), Yangel Herrera (Granada).
Forwards (8): Jan Hurtado (Redbull Bragantino-BRA), Eric Ramírez (Dunajska Streda- ESL), Daniel Pérez (Brujas-BEL), Fernando Aristeguieta (Mazatlán), Sergio Córdova (Arminia Bielefeld), Richard Celis (Caracas).
