The U.S. will host the centenary Copa America in '16 "despite the original deals for the competition featuring in the Department of Justice's indictments against football officials in the region," according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. The decision paves the way for the biggest official int'l tournament in the U.S. since the 1994 World Cup and "could see top players such as Argentine Lionel Messi and Brazilian Neymar in action at NFL stadiums." Confirmation of the June 3-26 event was "announced in a joint statement on Friday" from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. A U.S. Football statement also said the tournament would go ahead in "venues across the United States". The move was made possible by the two confederations "reclaiming the broadcast and sponsor rights for the competition from Datisa, a marketing firm that featured in the DOJ indictments." The three main shareholders in Datisa, Alejandro Burcazo, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, "were all indicted." The DOJ indictment said the trio had paid up to $110M "in bribes for a series of lucrative media rights from the two confederations." All 10 nations from CONMEBOL will play in the tournament while the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica feature "along with two other CONCACAF teams." The two regional confederations, along with U.S. Football, "will form a committee to run the event" (REUTERS, 10/24).
