2024-07-11 11:07:54
Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Núñez, Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez, jumped into the stands to fight with Colombian fans after the Copa America semi-final match between Uruguay and Colombia on Wednesday. As they later clarified, they did so to defend their relatives who were in that sector and were being attacked by coffee growers sympathizers.
When the referee blew the whistle to end the match There was a scuffle between players from both teams in the centre circle, which quickly spread to the stands between fans from both countries.
“We had to go in and get our loved ones out”
“We had to go into the stands to take out our loved ones, with small babies and newborns. “It was a complete disaster. There wasn’t a single police officer, they came after half an hour. It was a complete disaster and we were there defending our own people.”said José María Giménez, captain of the Uruguayan national team, in televised statements after the conclusion of the semi-final.
“I hope that those who are organizing this take a little more care with families, with people. and with the surroundings of the stadiums, because this is a disaster, because the same thing happens every game,” added the Atlético de Madrid defender.
“Our families are suffering because of those who take all the little sips of alcohol, who don’t know how to drink, “They behave like children who have no idea. I hope they are careful and it doesn’t happen again, because this is a disaster,” he concluded.
Bielsa’s word
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has said that the brawl involving some of his players was a “truly regrettable” incident.
Bielsa said in a press conference that he did not see the incidents in the stands as he went to the changing rooms when the brawl between players in the centre of the field ended. “When I saw that that had been resolved I went to the locker room,” explained the coach.who also explained that he thought the players heading to the stands “were thanking the Uruguayan public for their support.”
“But then I learned that there were other kinds of unfortunate difficulties, truly,” said Bielsa.
The Conmebol statement
The South American Football Confederation “strongly condemned” in a statement “the acts of violence in football”although he avoided referring directly to the fight between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans after the Copa América semi-final between the two teams.
“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the pitch”said Conmebol in its statement. “We invite everyone in the days that remain to pour all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party,” the organization added.
“The Uruguayans simply went to protect their family”
Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Associationsaid that the Uruguay players involved in the fight with some Colombian fans in the stands of the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte “were simply going to protect their family.”
“So far what we have had is internal dialogue, knowing that There was a natural, instinctive reaction from a father, a husband, a brother, a son who, seeing his family in a very difficult moment and seeing that they were not allowing evacuation to the field,“That is what the protocol indicates,” said Alonso in the mixed zone after the second semi-final of the Copa América.
“They were surrounded, access to the court was blocked and at that moment the people were very trapped. “In addition, they were surrounded by an impressive number of Colombian fans and some of them, as José María Giménez said, were aggressive towards them and afterwards there were some skirmishes that some people had to come out to break up,” added Alonso.