Nunez, Uruguay players brawl in stands with fans after Copa loss

Nunez, Uruguay players brawl in stands with fans after Copa loss

AFP
July 11, 2024 at 3:09 AM
Uruguay's Darwin Nunez is involved in scuffles with Colombia fans after his team's 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat
Uruguay's Darwin Nunez is involved in scuffles with Colombia fans after his team's 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP
Source: AFP

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Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and other Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans which erupted after their 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

Television footage showed Uruguay striker Nunez unleashing a flurry of punches at Colombian supporters after jumping into the spectator seating at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium following an ill-tempered loss to Colombia.

Uruguay central defender Jose Maria Gimenez said players had leapt into the melee out of concern for the safety of family members and loved ones watching the game.

"This is a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to go to the stands to take out our loved ones, with tiny newborn babies," the Atletico Madrid player said.

"There was not a single police officer...I hope those who are organising this are a little more careful with the families.

"Every game it's been happening because there are people who don't know how to handle a couple of drinks."

Fighting broke out in the stands after Uruguay's defeat to Colombia in the Copa America
Fighting broke out in the stands after Uruguay's defeat to Colombia in the Copa America. Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
Source: AFP

The overwhelming majority of the spectators in the crowd were supporting Colombia but there was no segregation between them and their Uruguayan counterparts.

While punches were thrown several Uruguay players climbed into the crowd, seemingly to protect them, with Nunez prominent among them.

The fighting continued for several minutes until police finally intervened.

A group of around 80-100 Uruguayan fans remained in the stadium, on the field, long after the rest of the fans had left.

Ugly scenes also broke out on the field after the final whistle, with players and staff from both teams involved in a mass melee in the centre-circle following Colombia's victory.

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