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Footballers Clash with Fans: Mass Brawl at Copa America
The tournament's semi-final ended in a confrontation between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans.
South American football has always been known for its emotional intensity, and fights in the stands involving national teams from this region are not uncommon. A recent example includes the incident with the best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martinez, who last November tried to protect fans from brutal actions by Brazilian police before a World Cup qualifying match.
However, the Copa America semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia surpassed last year's event in terms of intensity. It went beyond a sporting contest and became a severe brawl involving players and fans.
The Colombians, who scored the only goal in the first half, were left with one less player but managed to maintain their 1-0 lead, securing a spot in the final against Argentina. This loss was unexpected for the Uruguayan team, as they were considered favorites before the game.
But after the final whistle, tensions only escalated. Uruguayan players, angered by the aggressive behavior of Colombian fans, rushed to the stands to protect their loved ones. Stars such as Darwin Nunez and Ronald Araujo were active participants in the incident.
It was revealed that Colombian fans had threatened the families of the Uruguayans in the stands at the "Bank of America" stadium. This forced the Uruguayan players to ascend to the stands to retrieve their relatives, including children. The situation was worsened by the absence of police, who, for some reason, left the scene half an hour after the conflict began without completing their work. Uruguayan defender Jose Gimenez later explained the reasons for the mass brawl.
"Fans from a certain sector of Colombia created a threat to all our families and didn't let us speak through the microphone. It was a disaster; our families were in danger. We had to go to the stands to take our loved ones with small newborn children. There wasn't a police officer; they left after half an hour, and we stood up for ourselves. In every game, our families suffer because of one or two who had a few drinks and don't know how to drink, who behave indecently," Gimenez said in an interview with El Observador.
Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez was one of the most active participants in the fight. A video of him throwing a chair at Colombian fans quickly spread online. The Uruguayan forward reacted to fans who insulted him and made obscene gestures. He didn’t stop there and went into the stands. Nunez eventually couldn't contain his emotions and got into a brawl with Colombian fans, which ended poorly for him. The Liverpool star received a punch to the face from one of the fans.
The conflict wasn't limited to the stands. A struggle also unfolded on the football field. Legendary forward Luis Suarez headed towards Colombian defender Miguel Borja after the final whistle to confront him. Despite Suarez's provocations, Borja remained calm and did not respond to the challenge.
Social media has already ignited heated discussions. Some users support the players, considering their actions justified under the threat to their families. On the contrary, others criticize the players for unsportsmanlike behavior and call for stricter control by match organizers.
Published by Patrick Jane
11.07.2024