Brazil Can Give Copa America 2015 For Chile

[Felipe Menegaz]

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that as requested by his colleague of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, who conducted an official visit to Brazil, will plead, with Brazilian sport authorities that the country open hand to hold the Cup America for 2015 for the benefit of the neighbor. Thus, Brazil would make the tournament in 2019, the date already reserved for Chile.

"You know that Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In 2013, Brazil will take the FIFA Confederations Cup. And I'm knowing now, I did not know, Michelle warned me that Brazil wants to reach the Copa América 2015, and we are claiming the Olympics in 2016. That would be the decade of the sport in Brazil", Lula said.

The Brazilian president said that the request of Bachelet is "viable" and argued a "balance" in the choice of hosts for international sporting activities. Bachelet thanked Lula's commitment and said that Chile has a "broad and high quality" network of stadiums.

[IceNarcissus]

I don't understand South American politicians sometimes... What good will it do Chile if they host the cup in 2015 if they already are guaranteed of hosting in 2019? One would think a longer time to prepare is a bit better of a cushion. Does the government think they can still some of Brazil's thunder if they win 2016? Unlikely.

[Raphael]

I don't understand South American politicians sometimes... What good will it do Chile if they host the cup in 2015 if they already are guaranteed of hosting in 2019? One would think a longer time to prepare is a bit better of a cushion. Does the government think they can still some of Brazil's thunder if they win 2016? Unlikely.

We are talking about a diplomatic decision here. Showing support to Chile, Lula breaks a little the common statement that most SA countries are attached to Spain. In this case, Brazil has nothing to loose; Chile has nothing to win, but SA countries perception would tend to change, if such a statement is true.