Buenos Aires, March 17 (IANS): The Copa America, South America's regional international football competition, was on Tuesday postponed until the summer of 2021, said CONMEBOL.

"After a detailed analysis of the situation regarding the world and regional evolution of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and of the recommendations made by international organizations in the field of public health to take extreme precautions, CONMEBOL announces the postponement of the 47th edition of the CONMEBOL Copa América to the dates of June 11 to July 11, 2021," a statement on the official CONMEBOL website said.

"The Confederation, with its President Alejandro Domínguez in charge, along with the 10 presidents of the different Member Associations, considers that an event of this magnitude deserves that all the attention and effort be focused on its organization -- A priority that is now in the background to protect the health and safety of the national teams, fans, the media and host cities," it said.

The 12-team tournament, which had originally been scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 12 in Colombia and Argentina, follows the 16th edition of the Euros which also has been postponed to 2021 amidst the crisis unleashed by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Norway's football association on Monday tweeted that the UEFA has decided that the Euros will now be played from June 11 next year.

The decision frees up the calendar to give the continent's nationals leagues and the UEFA Champions League and Europa League a chance to reach completion. It also gives member nation and two-time champions Italy the time to recover for the tournament. The country is among the worst affected by the virus with over 350 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.