By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 11, 2024
Liverpool star, Darwin Nunez, and other Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans. The brawl erupted after their 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday.
Uruguay striker, Nunez, unleashed 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.”
The overwhelming majority of the spectators in the crowd were supporting Colombia but there was no segregation between them and their Uruguayan counterparts.
Several Uruguay players climbed into the crowd, seemingly to protect fans, with Nunez prominent.
The fighting continued for several minutes until police finally intervened.
A group of around 80-100 Uruguayan fans remained in the stadium, on the pitch, long after the rest of the fans had left with Uruguay players returning to the field to meet them.
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.
CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation which organises the Copa America, issued a statement condemning the incidents.
“CONMEBOL strongly condemns any acts of violence that affect football. Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values.
“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the pitch. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party.”
Source Punch Ng
Posted July 11, 2024
You may also like...
Champions Liverpool Add To Villa’s Relegation Worries
Federer, Zverev Reach Halle Open Quarter-Finals
Ikorodu United fall at home again, MFM FC...
Dominic Iorfa Now Remo Stars GM
Griezmann Double Fires Barca To Villarreal Victory
Dillian Whyte says Tyson Fury must 'shut up'...

AFN VP pledges N1.6m reward for C’wealth Games trials
Joshua warns Prenga ahead July 25 bout
Nigeria’s World Cup absence a big miss – Terry
NOC To Formally Launch Safeguarding Policy On June 16
Messi scores on injury return as Argentina beat Iceland in World Cup warm-up
Iwobi to join Yobo, Enyeama, Musa on 100 Nigeria caps
Omewa happy to open Falcons goal account
World Cup: Enyimba, Remo to benefit from FIFA’s $355m windfall
Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico
Omewa brace powers Falcons past Senegal
Joshua open to Itauma fight
NWFL Super Six: Edo Queens’ beat FC Robo 4-1
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,844 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,177 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,125 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,693 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,596 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,494 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,329 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,895 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,076 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,575 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,012 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,454 views)