By Miguel Rapetti
13 Jul 2024, 22:07 PM EDT
Colombia’s Argentine coach, Néstor Lorenzo, publicly complained this Saturday about the decision to extend the half-time break in the Copa América final between the team he manages and Argentina to give singer Shakira the chance to sing for 25 minutes.
At a press conference Lorenzo was questioned about Shakira’s performance scheduled for this Sunday and the decision to extend halftime from 15 to 25 minutes and although he initially invited the spectators to enjoy the show, he believes that it is a scenario that could affect both teams.
“Well, when the rules are changed a priori for both teams, or the pitch is bad for both, the minutes of rest are equal for both… I can’t say whether it’s good or bad, or who it favors. I don’t really understand it. I think it should be like any other game, which is the 15 minutes that correspond to the rules,” he said.
The coach also recalled that for leaving the locker room later in this tournament for the second half, “they have been fined and sanctioned.”
“Now it turns out that there is a show and we can go out in the 20th or 25th minute with the impact that can have on the players’ physical condition, who can get cold. One knows what those minutes of recovery in the locker room cost,” he said.
“But well, it is for both of us. That’s it. I found out today. I had had some inkling yesterday, they had told me not to, not to worry, but today I found out that it is like that and that’s it,” he concluded.
The match between Argentina and Colombia will be played this Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (USA) and Shakira will give a concert during the break, the first in the style of a Super Bowl show to be held in a Copa America final.
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