Maracana pitch being upgraded; Felipe ruled out

South American soccer body CONMEBOL said it is upgrading the Maracana stadium pitch for the Copa America final amid criticism of other fields of play in the tournament.

The decider will be on July 10.

Weeks ago, after Brazil became last-minute hosts of Copa America, organizers scheduled seven matches for the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio precisely because the pitch at the Maracana was worn out. But criticism has only grown since the start of the tournament.

The Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, which will hold one more group stage match, has also been targeted for irregular patches and sinking areas on the pitch.

Brazil coach Tite recently joined Neymar, Lionel Messi and others who attacked the organization for the poor pitch of the Nilton Santos, which was used for track and field in the 2016 Olympics and is regularly used by local club Botafogo, currently playing in the country''s second division.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid and Brazil defender Felipe Monteiro has suffered a blow this weekend as he has been ruled out of the rest of the Copa America.

The centre-back has sprained his right knee, meaning that Brazil will have to do without him this summer as they look to lift silverware on home soil.

Felipe suffered the sprain to his right knee on June 16, the day before Brazil played and beat Peru in their second game at the tournament. Further examinations revealed the extent of the injury.

He has since undergone some physiotherapy, but it has been confirmed that he will not be able to play any part this summer.

Tite has called Leo Ortiz into the squad to replace Felipe, a 25-year-old full-back who plays for Red Bull Bragantino.