Football Takes Responsibility in Fighting COVID-19 in Brazil

"We know and assume the responsibility of football in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Brazil," said the president of the CBF, Rogério Caboclo, in a statement.

At the moment, all matches scheduled in the championships that are already underway in the country are suspended, including the Copa de Brasil, the Brazilian Women's Championships A1 and A2, the Brazilian Under-17 Championship, and the Copa de Brasil Under-20.

According to the CBF, regarding regional championships such as the Paulista or the Carioca, each organizing entity will have to make a decision, and "local autonomy" will be "respected".

The CBF did not provide a date for the resumption of the competitions but indicated that they will "continue in constant contact with the Ministry of Health" in order to return to normality "as soon as possible".

"We join forces for the country and sport to overcome the great challenge regarding the pandemic, and we hope that we can return to normality as soon as possible," highlighted the CBF.

According to the latest bulletin released this Sunday by the Ministry of Health, Brazil has 176 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and is investigating another 1,915 suspects, although no deaths from the disease have been registered in the country so far.

The state of Sao Paulo, the most populous in Brazil, accounts for 63.6% of the total confirmed cases, which translates to 112 people infected with COVID-19.

Rio de Janeiro, with 24 positive diagnoses, and the Federal District, with eight, occupy the second and third positions, respectively.

Starting this Monday, at least 11 out of the 27 Brazilian states will implement restrictions on the population in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including the suspension of mass events in almost the entire country and the closure of schools and universities in some cases.

Despite the warnings and recommendations from authorities and the medical community, thousands of people took to the streets this Sunday across the country in demonstrations in support of President Jair Bolsonaro, who even participated in one of the events and greeted, hugged, and took photos with supporters.

A few days ago, the Brazilian president was tested for coronavirus after at least six people from his inner circle tested positive following a trip to the United States, but according to Bolsonaro, his tests came back negative.