![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Uruguay-Darwin-Nunez-fight.jpeg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Uruguay-Darwin-Nunez-fight.jpeg?width=600)
To say that Uruguay vs Colombia didn’t end on a good note would be an understatement. The aftermath of the Copa America 2024 second semifinal saw a violent fight break out between Colombian fans and Uruguayan superstar Darwin Nunez. Not only were the rival supporters drunk but it was something they had yelled which instigated the Liverpool star in the first place.
Clips have surfaced online showcasing the whole incident. Nunez, alongside a few Uruguayan players, entered the stands at the Bank of America Stadium and violently started attacking the fans. Punches were thrown in the air as a few stewards came and tried to control the striker. However, the situation rather seemed uncontrollable as the brawl took place for over 5 minutes. The reason why Nunez and his teammates confronted the rival fans was to protect their families.
As per the report from revered journalist Favian Renkel, Colombian fans crossed the line and were allegedly yelling curse words and misbehaving at Uruguay players’ families. Renkel also reported that defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who also climbed up the stands to look after his family members, revealed after the match that the involved Colombian group was quite drunk. When the situation escalated, a few supporters in the stands even tried to attack the Nunez’s wife and children.
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After defeat to Colombia, Uruguayan players entered the stands at Bank of America Stadium and began to throw punches. Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez amongst those at the forefront. pic.twitter.com/VE3unKObSa
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 11, 2024
This forced the 25-year-old to jump in the stands and take matters into his own hands. Unfortunately, the heat of the moment even saw the Anfield star viciously punching the involved fans. The viral video also showcases that a group of Uruguay and Colombian fans even tried to calm down the striker. Yet, the rival supporters responded by throwing cups and water at Darwin and other Uruguayan players.
Darwin Nunez and Uruguay players had a ‘natural instinct’ to defend their families during the altercation with Colombian fans
Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet expressed his discontent with the incident. Addressing the incident which was compiled by Favian Renkel, Rochet said, “This could have been avoided. I thought this came about from where the families of players was sitting…when you see your family there there…we wanted to take our families out of there.”
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This is best video of the whole situation filmed by @qc_javi. The Uruguayan players are clearly telling the Colombian fans, “with family no, with family no.” And then all hell breaks lose.
This is the clearest video of the incident. #SoyCeleste #Celeste #CopaAmerica… pic.twitter.com/0sfJVBfPFW
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 11, 2024
The altercation certainly put many in the stadium in danger, especially Uruguay players’ families. “I hope those who are organizing this are a little more careful with the families, with the people and with the people around in the stadiums. It’s a disaster because all the matches are the same. The families are suffering because of some who drink one or two shots of alcohol that don’t know how to drink who behave like children and are not decent,” said Uruguay’s center-back José María Giménez.
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Likewise, Uruguay national football team president Ignacio Alonso also opened up on the incident saying, “The players of Uruguay had a reaction natural response of defending their families. Natural instinct.” Further reports will reveal more details on the incident. For now, we hope that everyone is safe including the players and their families.
It is advised that the concerned authorities should quickly look into the matter and try to get a resolution as quickly as possible.
Debate
Did Darwin Nunez deserve the abuse from Colombian fans, or was it completely out of line?