Uruguay's Copa America semifinal clash with Colombia descended into madness at the blow of the final whistle, with La Celeste star Darwin Nunez among a handful of Uruguay players to head into the stands to confront Colombia fans following their 1-0 defeat to Los Cafeteros.
Nunez was the most prominent player to enter the stands, climbing over scaffolding to get involved in the action. He greeted one rowdy Colombian supporter (who had already thrown punches at the growing mass of Uruguayan representatives at Bank of America Stadium) with a pair of hooks and took a shot from another yellow-clad Colombian fan.
Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez explained what compelled members of La Celeste to enter into the stands during a post-match interview with Spanish-language broadcaster TUDN, revealing that a segment of the Colombian fans created an "avalanche" around the players' families.
"Our families were in danger, we had to go into the stands to get our loved ones out, with small, newborn children. The policemen came after half an hour," Maria Jimenez said.
"We were standing up for ourselves, for our people. I hope that those who are organizing this are more careful with the families and with the [fans], it's a disaster, the same thing happens every match. Our families are suffering because of some [fans] who have two shots of alcohol and behave like children and have no decent sense of decency."
Noble as that is, it's unclear whether such an explanation would suffice for CONMEBOL, South American soccer's governing body. Former France and Manchester United star Eric Cantona was famously handed a nine-month ban for launching a kung-fu kick toward a Crystal Palace supporter back in 1995. Could such a ruling set a precedent for Nunez and his Uruguayan teammates' actions?
The Sporting News gives you the run down on just what will happen with Nunez and the rest of the Uruguay side following Wednesday's explosive fireworks.
MORE: Darwin Nunez, La Celeste players enter stands, throw punches after Copa America loss
Will Darwin Nunez, Uruguay players be suspended?
At present, it's unknown whether Nunez and the other Uruguayan players who joined him in the bleachers will see heavy penalties — including suspensions — levied in their direction.
Chapter 15 of CONMEBOL's Copa America rule book details the governing body's outlook on handling disciplinary matters. There is no section describing the protocol if a brawl between players and fans erupts in the stands. However, Article 145 does highlight that teams found to have violated disciplinary guidelines are also "exclusively" liable for civil or other litigation from other soccer federations, as well as any other third party involved in the matter.
Given the number of people involved in the skirmish in Charlotte, that could represent a whole lot of third parties.
For what it's worth, CONMEBOL did condemn the clash that took place in the Bank of America stands.
Statement. pic.twitter.com/SGozrzqLyv
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 11, 2024
