The 2020 Copa America has been postponed to 2021 amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

The South American Nations Cup had been scheduled to take place in Argentina and Colombia between 12 June and 12 July.

However, the escalating spread of the pandemic has forced the 12-team competition to be pushed back a year, the South American confederation CONMEBOL confirmed on Tuesday.

The announcement comes just as UEFA announced that the European Championship, Euro 2020 set to be staged at the same time this summer, was rescheduled to 2021 as well.

”This is an extraordinary measure for an unexpected situation and responds to the fundamental need to avoid the exponential evolution of the virus,” said CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez.

Dominguez said the rescheduled tournament would be played between 11 June and 11 July, 2021.

”It wasn’t easy to take this decision but we must safeguard at all times the health of our players and all those who form part of the big South American football family. Have no doubts that the oldest international tournament in the world will be back stronger than ever in 2021.”

Brazil won the tournament in 2019, defeating Peru in the final, and the 2020 edition was designed to recalibrate the tournament so it was held on even-numbered years every four years.