by Mick the Ram

A lengthy ban could await Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez after he clashed with Colombian supporters at the end of his side’s Copa America semi-final defeat.

The striker was amongst several players who entered the stands and was seen physically confronting a large group of Colombia fans and had to be restrained by teammates, in an ugly exchange.

Uruguay had just surprisingly lost 1-0 in a bad-tempered game at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, when a melee broke out behind their bench.

Captain José Giménez said the players went in to the crowd to protect their families who he said: “were being threatened by opposing supporters”.

It took more than 10 minutes for police to arrive and a further ten to restore order.

The competition concludes on Monday 15 July, when the Colombian’s take on Argentina in the final, after the holders comfortably beat Canada in their last-four contest.

Ten-men hold firm

Just before the disorder in the crowd, there had been clashes on the pitch between players and coaching staff. Uruguay were expected to progress to the final and feelings were running high at the referee’s final whistle, which saw Colombia seal a 1-0 victory courtesy of a 39th minute Jefferson Lerma headed goal.

This despite being reduced to 10-men before half-time, after Daniel Muñoz lost his cool and got himself sent off, with the right-back receiving a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the chest.

However, for all the Uruguayan dominance throughout the second period, the nearest they came to an equaliser was when substitute Luis Suárez hit the post.

Families in danger

With the Colombian’s holding on for a famous victory, tensions spilt over and with no love lost between the two nations, it was probably inevitable that it would not end with pleasant handshakes.

Nevertheless, the disorder that broke out close to where Uruguayan family and friends were seated was out of the blue, and this is what sparked the rage amongst the players.

Images showed Núñez climbing up railings and making his way into the stand where he is seen to first confront the Colombian fans and then looking enraged, he seems to unleash a flurry of punches, with teammates attempting to restrain him.

No sign of police assistance

Captain José María Giménez said the players were simply trying to defend their families, describing the situation as a potential “disaster”. He added that because there were no police to be seen, they were compelled to defend their families.

“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks but don’t know how to drink.” He had spoken on an official broadcast saying: “Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies”.

Fear for safety of children

Luis Suarez also spoke up pointing out that it was obvious that if families are being attacked it is natural to want to go and protect them; although he did acknowledge that it didn’t justify the image that it had created.

He did add that a lot of children were trapped and things were falling on them which had made all the player react and in many cases, feel helpless.

Liverpool’s concern

Núñez – who Liverpool signed for an initial £64m from Portuguese side Benfica in June 2022, scoring 20 goals in 65 appearances – was seen hugging his son on the pitch after the altercation.

It is understood that the Merseyside club have been in contact with the Uruguayan Federation in order to establish the facts around the incident.

Due to several tragic crowd incidents in its recent past, the club are certain to reach out to the player from a duty of care point of view, with regards to his and his family’s welfare.

Vastly outnumbered

The crowd of 70,644 was heavily weighted in favour of the Colombians, with only around 10% cheering on the Uruguayans, but crucially there was no segregation in place. Fights broke out and beverages were seen to be thrown.

South American football’s governing body Conmebol has “strongly condemned” the incident and said it would launch an immediate investigation, adding: “There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field”.

Argentina await

Colombia move forward to a final with Lionel Messi’s Argentinian team, for whom he scored his first goal of the 2024 tournament, as they overcame a resolute Canadian side, 2-0, the day before in their semi-final. In truth, the holders have not looked particularly impressive in the competition to this point, but have continued to do just enough.

A first-half strike from Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez had given them the lead completely against the run of play and even after Messi’s contribution on the hour mark, they still could not fully relax, with a plucky opposition fighting right to the end.

They may well have their hands full in the final against a confident Colombian outfit, who will be backed again by a large support.