Bielsa's Ban: Uruguay's Coach Suspended for Punctuality Breach

Uruguay's coach Marcelo Bielsa has been suspended for one match and fined $15,000 by CONMEBOL due to his team's late arrival on the pitch during their match against Bolivia. Bielsa will miss the upcoming game against the United States. This makes him the fourth coach to be suspended for similar reasons in Copa America 2023.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has been suspended for one match by CONMEBOL after his team were late coming onto the pitch for their 5-0 win over Bolivia on Thursday.

South America's soccer governing body also handed the Uruguayan FA a $15,000 fine after Bielsa's side failed to comply with articles 104 and 145 of the tournament's regulations, which relate to taking the field "later than the scheduled start or restart time", CONMEBOL said in a statement on Sunday. The 68-year-old Bielsa will not be on the bench when his side face the United States in their final Group C match at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium on Monday, with Uruguay having all but secured a place in the last eight.

The former Leeds United manager is the fourth coach to be suspended for the same reason at this year's Copa America, after Argentina's Lionel Scaloni, Chile boss Ricardo Gareca and Venezuela manager Fernando Batista. Uruguay assistant coach Diego Reyes told a press conference the Copa America was a very tough tournament in that respect.

"These sanctions are never taken well because it is a negative aspect for the team. We took the necessary precautions (to avoid delays) in the last game, but there were still uncertainties that could not be resolved," he said. "In a dressing room during a game you know there is a lot of activity going on, and in this tournament they have been very strict with that short period of time."

Uruguay, who have six points, face the United States in their final group match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Monday and Reyes added that, despite Bielsa's absence, they will take the game against the hosts "as if it were our last". "We have to put in the best performance we can. The U.S. are a very important opponent, they have players from the best leagues in the world and they have been doing well for a long time under the current coach.

"Like all teams, they have their ups and downs. They have carried the burden of playing big games. They have a balanced squad of players who have played together for a long time, which makes them an important and always difficult opponent," he said. Uruguay will progress to the last eight as group winners if they avoid defeat by the U.S., while they would likely still go through with a loss thanks to their superior goal difference.

But Gregg Berhalter

's U.S. side will be desperate for a win against the 15-times champions. A loss or draw would leave the U.S. sweating on the result of the other Group C match between Bolivia and Panama to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

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