A fight erupted between Uruguay players and a group of hostile Colombia fans at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Thursday after the Copa America semi-final between the two teams. Liverpool star Darwin Nunez was seen punching fans in the stands during the ugly post-match scenes. Fans hurled caps, cans, and punches at the Uruguay players as they made their way back to the changing room after a disappointing loss in the quarterfinal match.
In a video captured by a fan at the stadium, Darwin Nunez is seen getting irritated by chants from Colombian fans before entering the stands and throwing punches at some of them. Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Maria Gimenez were also present when the fight broke out. Security officials and police officers quickly intervened to calm the situation and escort the players away. Some players, including Nunez, returned to the field to meet their families, who reportedly faced abuse from some fans.
Uruguay captain Gimenez criticized the security arrangements in Charlotte, expressing concern for the well-being of their families and blaming the hostile behavior of Colombian fans who dominated the stands.
“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,” Gimenez told broadcasters after the match.
“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,” he added.
Nunez, visibly shaken after the incident, was comforted by his Liverpool teammate Luis Diaz and veteran Luis Suarez.
It was a disappointing evening for Nunez and Uruguay as they failed to capitalize on their chances in the Copa America semi-final. Nunez missed three good opportunities to put Uruguay ahead in the first half before Colombia took the lead in the 39th minute when Jefferson Lerma headed a corner into the net.
Colombia were reduced to 10 men after Daniel Munoz received a second yellow for elbowing Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte in the chest. The match was a heated affair, with the referee handing out seven yellow cards and one red.