Fungal infection ruins Copa America pitch after monster truck rally just two months before kick-off
A MONSTER TRUCK RALLY caused fungal infection which could ruin a Copa America pitch just two months before it kicks-off.
The 2019 Copa America is set to begin on June 14 – but a fungus infection has affected one of the fields at a stadium set to host three matches.
Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians is the affected stadium – and it comes after a monster truck rally was held there in December, stadium executives say.
It is believed that humid conditions affected the surface after a plastic cover was placed on the pitch during the monster truck event.
Corinthians President Andres Sanchez said the stadium will close after the Sao Paulo state championship final on April 21 and his side will not play there again until the Copa America has concluded.
He said: “We are not closing because of Copa America, we are closing because of Corinthians.
“Unfortunately, after the trucks came, it turned bad and we could not recover the pitch.
“We should have stopped playing here in the beginning of the year. We made a mistake and now we will do what is needed.”
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Officials have promised a replacement in time for the Copa America.
Brazil’s third group stage match against Peru on June 22, will be hosted at The Arena Corinthians – followed by the quarter-final six days later.
The final match played at the stadium will be the third-place playoff on July 6.