Copa America: Uruguay gamers defend determination to enter crowd to guard households amid brawl

Followers of Colombia combat with followers and gamers of Uruguay throughout the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia at Financial institution of America Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photos by way of AFP

Uruguay striker Luis Suárez defended his teammates’ determination to enter the stands following a 1-0 loss to Colombia within the Copa America semifinals, saying the motion was essential to defend households and supporters.

After a bodily and emotional recreation that included seven yellow playing cards and one purple card, gamers exchanged phrases and shoves at midfield of Financial institution of America Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Uruguay gamers, together with Darwin Núñez, observed an altercation behind the staff’s bench and a couple of dozen or so gamers then climbed into the stands because the melee continued.

Some gamers had been seen throwing punches earlier than Charlotte Mecklenburg Law enforcement officials and stadium safety restored order after about 10 minutes.

“Clearly when one has your girl, your little youngster, your father, aged folks you need to go and see in the event that they’re OK,” Suárez stated.

“Right here this stuff, it is a picture that nobody needs to have created however clearly if somebody is attacking your loved ones you need to go and defend them. However that does not justify the picture that it created. We needed to defend our households that had been there.”

CONMEBOL, South American soccer’s governing physique, stated Thursday its disciplinary committee opened an investigation.

“It’s unacceptable that an incident like this turns ardour into violence,” the assertion stated.

Suárez stated he might see relations and kids within the crowd and he fearful about their security. Greater than 70,000 followers attended the sport, and at the very least 90% cheered for Colombia and wore their vivid yellow colours.

“(They) had been trapped and issues had been falling on them and also you felt helpless,” Suárez stated.

Uruguay’s José María Giménez referred to as the state of affairs a “catastrophe“. “Our household is in peril,” Giménez informed Fox.

“We needed to get on high of the stands ASAP to rescue our family members with infants. … It is a catastrophe as a result of all the matches are the identical. Our households are in peril due to some who drink one or two photographs of alcohol that do not know to drink and behave like kids.”

Stadium seating decisions for households and associates of gamers had been organized by Uruguayan soccer’s governing physique. Extra protected luxurious suites had been an choice. The Uruguayan soccer affiliation has not made a public assertion on the combat.

“There was some argument within the midfield, and after I noticed that taking place, I went to the locker room. I believed they had been thanking the followers for his or her assist,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa stated after the sport.

“However then I realized there have been some issues over there, sadly.”

CONMEBOL has not stated if any Uruguay gamers face suspension for coming into the stands or throwing punches at Colombia followers.

The governing physique launched an announcement after the sport saying it condemns any act of violence and that “we invite everybody within the remaining days to pour all of their ardour into cheering on their nationwide groups and having an unforgettable occasion.”

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Division has not stated whether or not arrests had been made, and stadium officers haven’t commented publicly.