Uruguay players including Darwin Nunez fought with fans at the Copa America (Photo: EPA)
Darwin Nunez is among the Uruguay stars to have been handed match bans and/or fines for their role in a huge fight with Colombia fans at the Copa America.
The incident occurred after Uruguay’s semi-final loss at the tournament in July, when several players including the Liverpool striker entered the stands to confront rival fans.
The supporters in question had begun brawling in an area close to where the players’ families were located at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, USA.
Nunez was pictured exchanging punches with fans and also attempted to throw a chair into the stands before police finally separated the two groups.
Uruguay’s players and coaching staff fiercely defended their actions, insisting they were acting in self-defence and only wanted to protect their families.
South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL has taken a different view however, issuing bans and fines to 11 players and well as punishing the Uruguayan federation and one of their officials.
Nunez has received the harshest punishment: a five-game suspension and a $20,000 (£15,100) fine.
Players say they were trying to protect their families who were in the crowd (Photo: Getty)
The mass brawl was one of several security issues that plagued the Copa America (Photo: Getty)
The 25-year-old is now set to miss his country’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been hit with a four-game ban and a $16,000 (£12,000) fine, while Facundo Pellistri, who has just left Manchester United, is one of six players to be fined $5,000 (£3,700).
After defeat to Colombia, Uruguayan players entered the stands at Bank of America Stadium and began to throw punches. Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez amongst those at the forefront. pic.twitter.com/VE3unKObSa
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 11, 2024
Speaking directly after the incident, Uruguay captain Jose Gimenez, who was given a three-game ban and fined $12,000 (£9,000), said: ‘Our families are in danger. This is a disaster.
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‘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.’
The 2024 Copa America was plagued by security issues, especially worrying given that the USA are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.
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Publish date : 2024-08-28 05:14:00
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