Darwin Nunez involved in brawl with fans after Copa America semi-final

  • Uruguay's Copa America semi-final loss to Colombia marred by crowd violence
  • Darwin Nunez climbed into stands to get involved
  • Uruguay players claim he was trying to defend friends and family
Post-match violence clouded the semi-final
Post-match violence clouded the semi-final / Robin Alam/ISI Photos/GettyImages
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Darwin Nunez was part of a brawl between Uruguay and Colombia fans after their Copa America semi-final on Wednesday night.

Colombia advanced to the final to face Argentina with a 1-0 win at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, but the match was marred by distressing post-match scenes.

Following an ill-tempered affair on the pitch, which saw several scuffles break out and Colombia's Daniel Munoz sent off at the end of the first half, trouble broke out in the stands.

It's been claimed that Colombia fans 'descended' on the friends and families of Uruguay's players, prompting Nunez to climb into the seated section and fight off the attackers. He was also seen throwing a chair towards supporters while still on the pitch.



Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez revealed his fury at how these incidents were allowed to occur, blaming a lack of security.

"Colombian fans in a certain section descended on all our families," he said.

"They they won't let us speak on the microphone. This is a disaster, our families were in danger. We had to rush into the stands to remove our loved ones with tiny newborn babies.

"It's a total disaster. There wasn't a single police officer. They showed up half an hour later. A disaster. And we were there, standing up for ourselves, for our loved ones.

"Hopefully organisers take a little more precautions with our families, with the people and those around the stadiums. Because this happens every game.

"Our families are suffering because of some people who have a few drinks and don't know how to drink, who act like children. Hopefully, they'll take more precautions for the next game so this doesn’t happen again, because this is a disaster."

Luis Suarez, who consoled Nunez after he returned from the stands, added: "Some of the players had wives, small children, their parents, older relatives. They went to see how they were doing. Then those things started to happen, the images that you've seen.

"They were trying to protect their families. From what I saw, there were a lot of relatives and children affected. You're left powerless in that situation."

A statement from CONMEBOL read: "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 field.

"We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party."


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