A massive brawl broke out at the end of the Copa America semi-final on Wednesday night between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans after Colombia's 1-0 win to progress to the final.
Videos show Uruguay players, particularly Darwin Nunez, in physical altercations with Colombia fans in the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Security intervened, but the situation quickly escalated with punches from both sides.
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The two different visions of the fight that broke out between Uruguay players and Colombia fans ⬇️
(🎥: @the_bonnfire) pic.twitter.com/2pxeI2bi8B
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
Darwin comforting one of his sons after HE himself had to go and fight the Colombian fans because there was no security and take his family to the field.#Uruguay #Colombia #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/lSAtaq9IbQ
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 11, 2024
Uruguayan defender José María Giménez was also seen participating in the altercation. Colombian fans retaliated, throwing punches and objects at the players during the incident.
Giménez assured that the players' families were in danger, which motivated his actions to protect them. The president of the Uruguayan Football Federation, Ignacio Alonso, supported this claim, highlighting the natural instinct of players to defend their loved ones.
“This is a disaster. Our family is in danger.”
Uruguayan José María Giménez talks about the altercation with fans that occurred in the stands after the semi-final of the Copa America against Colombia ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Y0ytj44ioK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
The Copa America's governing body, CONMEBOL, has condemned the violence and reaffirmed the values of unity and respect in football.
“Our work is based on the conviction that football connects us and unites us through its positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field” – CONMEBOL
The game was already tense, as Daniel Muñoz received two yellow cards that led to his expulsion from the game. In addition, a brawl broke out between players and staff from both teams after the game, with some pushing and shoving on the field.