Darwin Nunez, Liverpool striker, got into a brawl with Colombian fans following Uruguay’s Copa America loss on Wednesday.
Jefferson Lerma scored the game’s lone goal in the first half as Uruguay lost 1-0 to Colombia in the semi-final, sending them out of the Copa America.
Nunez and Ronald Araujo among the Uruguay players that hurried over to a group of Colombia supporters inside Bank of America Stadium shortly after Mexican referee Cesar Ramos blew the full-time whistle.
Nunez was observed trading blows with Colombian supporters prior to law enforcement intervening to divide the two factions.
Uruguay captain Jose Gimenez has since claimed that his teammates engaged in the confrontation because their families, who were sitting near the Colombia supporters, were being ‘attacked’ during the game.
Uruguay players have entered the stands and a fight has broken out between fans and players pic.twitter.com/XRbte2ibiy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
‘Please, I ask you to be careful. Families are in the stands. Our families are in danger. This is a disaster,’ Gimenez told Directv.
‘We had to rush into the stands to get our loved ones out, there were people with new-born babies.
‘I hope those who are organising this are careful. Our families are suffering.
‘I hope they are careful and this doesn’t happen again because it is a disaster.
‘I hope they [the broadcaster] don’t cut off what I am saying. There were no police, they arrived late. This is the fault of two or three people who had one drink too many.’
There was also a clash between the two teams and coaching staff on the pitch after the final whistle.
Luis Suarez was among the players at the centre of the confrontation and appeared to spark a row with Colombia striker Miguel Borja.
Colombia will now play Argentina in the final of the Copa America at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday evening.
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz was in tears during his post-match interview after Colombia secured their place in the final.
‘It’s time to rest and prepare for what’s coming. I’m very proud of this family,’ he said. ‘I know we’re going to make it with God’s help.’
Meanwhile, Uruguay will play Canada in the third-placed play-off on Saturday.