Uruguayan Players Battle Fans After 2024 Copa America Semifinal Loss to Colombia
Player Says Team Feared for Families’ Safety in Stands
The 2024 Copa America semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia on Wednesday resembled an all-out brawl more than a soccer clash. Players were hitting each other, hitting the turf, and not getting up. After Colombia’s 1-nil win, with seven yellow cards and one red, it got nastier.
Colombia’s fans rubbed it in big time and are alleged to have gone after the families of the Uruguayan players. That led to Uruguayan players entering the stands and the battle ensued.
“They made an avalanche to all our families, a certain sector of Colombia,” Uruguay’s Jose Marie Gimenez said in Spanish. “This is a disaster, this is a disaster.
“Our family was in danger, we had to rush up to the stands to take out our loved ones, with small babies newborns. Everything was a disaster. There was not a single police officer. They fell within half an hour. And we were there, standing up for our own.”
“I hope those who are organizing this take a little more care with the families. the people and the surroundings of the stadiums, which is a disaster. Because every game the same thing happens: our families are suffering because of some who have 2 or 3 drinks of alcohol, who do not know how to drink, who behave like children and they are not decent. I hope they take precautions in the next games and this doesn’t happen again, because it is a disaster.”
💥 Lío en la grada
❗️ Algunos jugadores de Uruguay se enfrentan a la afición de Colombia
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) July 11, 2024
This was ugly with a capital “U” and we don’t mean for Uruguay. The entire match was filled with nastiness and those 70,644 in attendance in Charlotte, NC, were riled up.
Incredible atmosphere here in Charlotte for this Colombia vs Uruguay semi-final. As loud and intense a stadium I’ve seen in a while!!
On FS1 pic.twitter.com/Ie3Vs3ZYq9
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) July 11, 2024
2024 Copa America semifinal: Nuñez and Teammates Battle Colombian Fans
The final whistle didn’t stop the physicality. Players from both teams got into it.
😬😬
Things got physical between Colombia and Uruguay after the final whistle pic.twitter.com/F3f8bR7SlP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
A couple of players from team embraced at the end of the bitterly fought scrap. Darwin Nuñez and Luis Diaz hugged after Colombia advanced to Sunday’s final with Argentina despite playing part of the first half and all of the second with 10 men after a red card ejection. Nuñez and Diaz are teammates on Liverpool so that would explain the lack of animosity.
Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz share a moment after the match ❤️🇺🇾🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/cAfH5AuO3M
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
Nuñez was calm with Diaz but lost it shortly thereafter and wound up as one of the players in the stands fighting the Colombian faithful.
Darwin Nunez and Uruguay players fighting Colombia fans in the stands pic.twitter.com/V37wrZo8m5
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) July 11, 2024
Many on social media compared this soccer news to the NBA’s infamous “Malice at the Palace.”
Oh my. Crazy scene here. Uruguay players including Darwin Nuñez in the stands fighting with Colombian fans. This is worse than the Malice in the Palace. Plenty of punches thrown both ways.
Ugly scene and end to a spirited football match.
— Will Palaszczuk (@WilliePStyle) July 11, 2024
Nuñez was seen comforting his son after the ruckus.
Darwin consoling one of his children after HE himself had to go fight Colombian fans because there was no security and bring his family to the field.#Uruguay #Colombia #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/lSAtaq9IbQ
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 11, 2024
Tensions Will Be Fraught in Title Match
There could be far more battling on the pitch and in the stands on Sunday when Colombia and Argentina meet. Both countries have dearly devoted fans and with the title on the line, tempers will be short and frayed.
THE COPA AMÉRICA 2024 FINAL IS SET 🇦🇷🇨🇴🏆
Who are you rooting for, Argentina or Colombia? pic.twitter.com/Ik4Ax4IeEp
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
There will be plenty of taunts and lots on the line as Colombia and Argentina play for the title. And there will be soccer news from the suspensions and fines once CONMEBOL reviews the semifinal match and post-game incident.
🇦🇷 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐯𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 🇨🇴
THE 2024 COPA AMÉRICA FINAL IS SET ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lwwaNl5ZFZ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 11, 2024
The organization released a statement early Wednesday.
“CONMEBOL strongly condemns any act of violence that affects football. Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field,” the organization said.
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