CONMEBOL have released statement after wild scenes unfolded at the Bank of America Stadium after Uruguay Vs Colombia Copa America 2024 semi-final clash, MySportDab reports.
It was a crazy and sad episode in the tournament which saw the two South American giants lock horns for a place in the final of the tournament.
In viral videos shared at the end of this post, Uruguay players were seen taking to the stands to exchange blows with Colombia fans after the match.
Liverpool forward, Darwin Nunez, who was down to tears after the loss, was the protagonist in the brawl. He was seen furiously throwing punches and engaging the opponents’ fans in a fight.
His teammates joined him in the mass brawl, resulting in a sour and disheartening post-match episode.
While available footage seem to show that Uruguay players were at fault in the mass brawl, a version of the event, narrated by Uruguay defender, Maria Gimenez, suggests Colombia fans were to blame for the incident.
According to Gimenez, the fans started the fight when they became aggressive towards the family of Uruguay footballers, who were making their way out of the stands after the final whistle.
Gimenez added Colombia fans went as far as dragging the children of Uruguay footballers and this made the footballers to dare into the stands to save their families.
“This is so disheartening. Colombia fans were so unfriendly and dragged the families and children of our players leading to the furious bust-up,” he said.
While claims and counterclaims have been thrown up on who is to blame for the brawl, American football’s governing body and organizers of the tournament, CONMEBOL, have released statement condemning the incident. The statement reads;
“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all of their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party.”
The match ended with Colombia seeing off Uruguay with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a first-half goal
by Lerma in the 39th minute.
Uruguay will now take on Canada for a third-place finish on Saturday while Colombia will take on defending champions Argentina in the final on Sunday.
Watch Clips of the incident Below;
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
Uruguay players have entered the stands and a fight has broken out between fans and players pic.twitter.com/XRbte2ibiy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
closer look of the fight between Darwin Nunez and Colombia fans. pic.twitter.com/BVe78s0MEm
— 21 Chapo (@ElonChapo) July 11, 2024
