After the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, a brawl broke out among supporters in the stands and players entered the area where their families – including children – were located in the stadium.
Liverpool forward Nunez was among those caught in the incident, with Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Jimenez also seen nearby.
Video footage showed Colombian fans throwing objects, including beverage cans, at Uruguayan supporters and players.
Security personnel then stepped in to intervene, before the players returned to the field with some of their family members.
Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Nunez, were seen clashing with Colombian fans after the Copa America semi-final.
@the_bonnfire pic.twitter.com/v6yKiCrgph
– The Athletic (@TheAthletic) 11 July 2024
The players, including Nunez, looked quite shocked by this incident. He was later seen being consoled on the pitch by Liverpool teammate Luis Diaz and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez.
Jiménez, who captained Uruguay in the game, later told the television broadcast that the players feared for the safety of their families.
“A certain class of Colombian fans included all of our families,” he said. “They won’t let us speak on the microphone. This is a disaster, our families were in danger. We had to run into the stands to remove our loved ones with tiny newborns.
An eyewitness spoke athletic Isolated incidents of disorder between rival supporters were reported during the game, which were largely brought under control. Police officers were later shown in broadcast footage of the incident involving the players.
“This is a complete disaster. There was not a single police officer there,” Jimenez claimed. “They came half an hour later. a disaster. And we were there, standing up for ourselves, for our loved ones.”
Luis Suarez consoles Darwin Nunez after the incident (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
A match between Brazil and Argentina in November was disrupted by similar crowd problems and players were once again unhappy with the policing of areas where family members were sitting.
“Hopefully the organizers will be a little more careful with our families, people and people around the stadium. Because it happens in every sport,” Jimenez added.
“Our families are suffering because of some people who drink very little and do not know how to drink, who behave like children. Hopefully, they’ll take more precautions for the next game so this doesn’t happen again, because it’s a disaster.
Uruguay lost the game 1-0 and will now play Canada in the tournament’s third-place playoff match on Saturday at the same stadium. Colombia will face Argentina in the final on Sunday in Miami.
Suarez, who came on in the second half of the game, said: “Some players had wives, little children, their parents, older relatives. They went to see how they were doing. Then those things started happening, those images that you have seen.
“They were trying to protect their families. From what I saw, a lot of relatives and children were affected. You are left powerless in that situation.”
Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet said: “It was an ugly moment. It doesn’t feel good to see these problems, especially when your family is only two meters apart. We are sad to be out of the tournament and now we have to deal with this situation.
“From what I saw, they started throwing things. You try to stay away from him, but when you see that this is your family, there are small children, it becomes difficult.
Rochette added, “It was clear that this could have been avoided.” “I think the area where the players have families should have been protected by some other type of security, especially knowing that the Uruguayan fans outnumbered the Colombian ones. When you see your family there… all the players went up and tried to get them out.
statement. pic.twitter.com/SGozrzqLyv
– CONMEBOL Copa America™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) 11 July 2024
Tournament organizer CONMEBOL condemned “any act of violence that affects football”.
A statement said: “Our work is based on the belief that football connects and unites us through its positive values. There is no room for intolerance and violence on and off the field.
“We invite everyone to pour all their passion into the remaining days to cheer on their national teams and celebrate an unforgettable party.”
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) will analyze footage of the incident before considering any further action.
“The players reacted naturally to that, which was to protect the children who were in that part of the stands, the women who were being attacked, their wives, fathers, children and brothers,” said AUF president Ignacio. ” Alonso told reporters.
“It is a father’s instinctive reaction. It was a natural reaction that made a lot of sense considering what was happening around them.”
Additional reporting: Felipe Cardenas, Melanie Enzidayi
(Top photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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