Ahead of their third-place playoff against Uruguay, Canada manager John Herdman launched a scathing critique of the Copa America organizers, calling the international tournament “not a professional event.” His comments come on the heels of similar criticisms from Uruguayan manager Marcelo Bielsa, further exposing the organizational issues behind the tournament.
“Throughout the competition, our players have been subjected to discrimination, both on and off the field, on social media,” Herdman said, adding, “We feel like we’ve been treated as second-class citizens.” He will lead his team against Uruguay on Saturday in their bid for third place.
Commenting on Bielsa’s critique, Herdman said, “I agree with some of his points, but others I disagree with. In my opinion, the organization of the Copa America has been riddled with inconsistencies, both in terms of day-to-day hospitality and the overall experience.”
He further pointed out that Canada would likely face harsher penalties than Uruguay for similar post-match incidents involving fans. “I saw what happened at the end of the match, but we want to make sure our players’ families are safe and secure. However, I am sure if we were to react similarly, we would face a much stricter penalty, considering the unfair treatment we have received in this competition.”
Herdman also sharply criticized the officiating in the tournament, alleging a bias towards South American teams at the expense of CONCACAF nations. He specifically cited the tackle by Montiel on Alphonso Davies in the semifinal against Argentina.
“You are giving me another chance to discuss that horrendous tackle on Davies. Imagine if it was a superstar, especially a South American one, playing for another team. The referee’s reaction and the handling of the situation would have been completely different. We are fortunate Davies didn’t sustain a serious injury, but we are still unsure if he’ll be available. One of the key responsibilities of a referee is to protect the players, and he clearly failed to do that,” added the manager, who himself was involved in a heated exchange with Rodrigo De Paul during the game.
Herdman concluded by emphasizing his players’ performance throughout the competition. “Our players have been disciplined throughout the tournament, never overreacting or diving. We’ve never tried to get players booked by simulating fouls. My players have shown exceptional professionalism on the pitch.”
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