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Rangers star to miss out on homecoming after hosting duties stripped over protests

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Alfredo Morelos rangers
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Rangers star Alfredo Morelos will miss out on the chance to enjoy a fantastic homecoming this summer after Colombia were stripped of their co-hosting duties.

The Ibrox star was hoping he would get the chance to return to his homeland and help fire Colombia to victory but the competition now likely to be solely hosted in neighbouring Argentina.

Morelos is in the Colombia squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Argentina next month and will have been hoping to fire himself into the Copa America squad with two impressive performances, weeks after lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy.

Colombian authorities have asked for Copa America to be pushed back to November amid anti-Government street protests caused by president Ivan Duque attempting to impose a tax increase during the Covid 19 pandemic that has left millions of Colombians without work or food.

A Copa Libertadores match between Colombian side América de Cali and Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro last week was also interrupted several times because of tear gas used to disperse the protesters.

The tournament has already been postponed once – moving from 2020 to 2021 – so organisers rejected the Colombian’s request for a short postponement until November.

Colombia are due to face Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela in Group B with the best four teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals.

copa america, rangers, morelos
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

After a fantastic season for Rangers, hopefully Morelos gets to represent his country and make up for the disappointment of being left out of the squad for the 2019 edition of the competition.

In other news, Rangers icon ‘can’t believe the impact’ midfield linchpin has had at Ibrox