Uruguay coach Bielsa suspended for match against USA

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has been suspended for Monday’s Copa America Group C match against the United States, tournament organizers announced on Sunday.

Bielsa was booked for allegedly delaying the start of the second half of the match in which his team beat Bolivia 5-0.

The experienced Uruguay coach’s place on the bench during Monday’s match against Kansas City will be taken by assistant Pablo Quiroga.

Bielsa is one of several Copa America coaches who have been disciplined for holding up play.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Chile’s Ricardo Gareca and Venezuela’s Fernando Batista were also punished by CONMEBOL for similar offences.

The Uruguayan Football Association was also fined $15,000.

Uruguay are all but certain to advance to the quarter-finals after beating Panama 3-1 in their opening match and thrashing Bolivia.

Monday’s match will be decisive for the United States, which will likely need a victory over the Uruguayans to avoid an embarrassing first-round exit.

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