(Reuters) – Venezuela face Jamaica in their final Copa America group stage match on Sunday, but coach Fernando Batista will be absent after being suspended by CONMEBOL.
Batista was handed a one-match ban after Venezuela’s late arrival to the field of play in their 1-0 win over Mexico, joining Chile coach Ricardo Gareca and Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni who have also been sanctioned by the South American football’s governing body.
“Batista is very hurt because he won’t be able to lead the team, but we respect the decision,” assistant coach Leandro Cufre told a news conference on Saturday.
Venezuela go into their clash with Jamaica as Group B leaders with six points, having secured their place in the last eight and with the possibility of progressing as group winners, potentially avoiding defending champions Argentina in the next round.
“We have to think about putting out the best team we can because the most important thing tomorrow is to get a good result,” added Cufre.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Toby Chopra)
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