Fans Say Copa America Is Rigged for Messi After Brazil’s Draw With Colombia

• Fans have joked about their concerns about the credibility of the 2024 Copa America after some poor refereeing decisions
• Some believe the competition is being rigged for Lionel Messi to win after Brazil were denied a penalty in their final group game
• Argentina and Brazil, who have been touted as the favourites to win, are through to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America

Some football fans have inferred that the 2024 Copa America has been rigged for Lionel Messi’s Argentina to win the tournament.

Fans made their displeasure known on social media in the aftermath of Brazil’s final group-stage draw against Colombia after the Selecao were denied a penalty claim.

According to Sportskeeda, Brazil was denied what looks like a good penalty claim when Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior, was fouled inside the Colombian box towards the end of the first half.

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The Selecao broke the deadlock through Barcelona winger, Raphinha in the 12th minute and could have doubled their lead if the penalty had been awarded by the centre referee, Jesus Valenzuela.

Daniel Munoz got Colombia’s equaliser some minutes later as the game would end in a 1-1 draw, forcing Brazil to finish second in Group D with five points, two points behind Colombia.

Fans claim CONMEBOL is corrupt

Meanwhile, fans took to social media to take a swipe at the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) for what they term a ‘rigged Copa America’ tournament.

Some aggrieved fans claim the competition taking centre stage in the United States of America is corrupt while also alleging the organisers want Messi and Argentina to win it.

One fan alleged the Copa America as a competition was questionable.

Another fan claimed the tournament is rigged as Argentina now has an easier route to the final.

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Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Canada, Colombia, Panama, Uruguay, and Brazil are the eight teams that have sealed qualification to the quarter-finals of this year’s competition.

Messi survives horror tackle incident

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi was lucky to complete 90 minutes and walk out unscathed of Argentina’s first match of the Copa America against Canada on June 20.

The world champions began the defence of their title with a 2-0 victory over the CONCACAF country, thanks to goals from top strikers, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

Messi was on the end of some harsh fouls by the Canadians, one of which committed by defender, Moise Bombito, with the Inter Miami star struggling to rise to his feet.