On Friday, Conmebol, the governing body for South American football, announced it has revised its pre-match procedures for the Copa América Femenina in Ecuador, responding to concerns raised by Brazilian players and coaching staff.
“Going forward, while the goalkeepers will continue their traditional 15-minute warm-up on the field, outfield players will now also have the opportunity to warm up on the pitch for the same duration,” Conmebol informed Reuters.
This adjustment comes after careful evaluation of the playing surfaces at the venues used in earlier matches and in response to feedback from the teams involved.
Initially, outfield players had been prohibited from warming up on the field during matches, which saw two games scheduled each day in the group stages.
Marta, Brazil’s captain, along with midfielder Alliborgge and coach Arthur Elias voiced their discontent after Brazil’s dominant group stage win over Bolivia.
“It’s been a long time since I played tournaments here in South America, and I felt saddened by these circumstances,” Malta expressed to Globo Esporte.
“While athletes are expected to perform and give their best, high-level organizations must also hold themselves accountable.”
They voiced concerns over the restrictions following the tournament’s opening match against Venezuela, which ultimately led to Manchester City striker Kerolin being unable to adequately assess her fitness.
Brazil, the two-time defending champions, topped Group B and will take on Paraguay on Tuesday.
This report uses information from Reuters.
Fan Take: This development highlights the ongoing push for better standards and treatment in women’s football, which is crucial for advancing the sport globally. Enhanced pre-match routines can significantly impact player performance, enriching the quality and competitiveness of matches, which fans eagerly anticipate.
