Among the Uruguayan players: Darwin Nunezclashed with Colombian fans after the semi-final. Copa America Wednesday night.
Following the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, an altercation broke out when fans in the stands and players entered an area of the stadium where families, including children, were present.
Liverpool Forward Nunez was one of those caught up in the incident. Ronald Araujo of Barcelona Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Jimenez was also photographed nearby.
Video footage appears to show Colombian fans clashing with Uruguayan supporters and players, throwing drink cans and other objects.
Security guards then intervened and the players and their families followed them back onto the field.
Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Nunez, appeared to clash with Colombian fans after the Copa America semi-final.
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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 11, 2024
Players were visibly shaken by the incident, including Nunez, who was photographed being comforted by his Liverpool teammates afterwards. Luis Diaz and Uruguayof Luis Suarez On the pitch.
Jimenez, who captained Uruguay in the match, later said on national television that players were worried about the safety of their families.
“Columbia fans in one area attacked our whole family,” he said. “They wouldn’t let us speak on the microphone. It was a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to run into the stands and evacuate our loved ones, including our little baby.”
According to eyewitness accounts Athletic There were sporadic incidents of violence between rival supporters during the match but these were reportedly largely contained, with footage circulating later of an incident involving players and showing police officers.
“It was a total disaster. There were no cops,” Jimenez alleged. “The cops showed up 30 minutes later. It’s a disaster. We were there for ourselves and our loved ones.”
Darwin Nunez is comforted by Luis Suarez after the incident (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
A match between Brazil and Argentina in November was marred by similar crowd troubles. Players are again unhappy with security in the areas where their families sit.
“I hope that the organizers will be a little more careful with our families, with the spectators and with those around the stadium, because this happens every game,” Jimenez continued.
“Our family is suffering because of people who have a few drinks, don’t know how to handle it and act like children. I hope they take more precautions in the next game so that this never happens again because it’s a disaster.”
Uruguay lost 1-0 And the next match will be the third place match of the tournament at the same stadium. Canada Saturday. Columbia would be faced with Argentina in the finals on Sunday in Miami.
“Some of our players had wives, young children, parents, elderly relatives. They went to see what was going on and then what you saw started to happen,” said Suarez, who came on in the second half.
“They were trying to protect their families. From what I saw, many relatives and children were affected. You are powerless in such situations.”
Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rocher He added: “It was an ugly moment. It’s not nice to see problems like this when families are just two metres apart. It’s disappointing to be eliminated from the tournament but we have to deal with the situation now.”
“From what I saw, they started throwing things. You try to get away from the action, but it’s hard when you know it’s your family, your little kids.”
“Obviously it could have been avoided,” Rocher continued. “I think the area where the players’ families were should have been protected by other security, given that the number of Uruguay fans was smaller than that of Colombia’s. When they saw the families there… all the players ran over and tried to help them.”
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— CONMEBOL Copa America™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 11, 2024
Tournament organisers CONMEBOL condemned “any act of violence affecting football”.
The statement read: “Our work is based on the belief that football connects and unites us through its positive values. Intolerance and violence have no place on or off the field.”
“For the rest of your days, I ask you to continue to show your passion by supporting your national teams and throwing unforgettable parties.”
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) will analyze the footage of the incident before considering further action.
“The players reacted instinctively, with a natural reaction, to protect the children who were in that part of the stands, the women who were assaulted, the wives, fathers, children and brothers who were there,” AUF president Ignacio Alonso told reporters.
“It was a father’s instinctive reaction. It was a natural reaction given what was going on around him.”
Additional reporting by Felipe Cardenas and Melanie Andjiday
(Top photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
