Following his involvement in a brawl during the Copa America 2024, Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has been handed a five-match international ban with the Uruguay national team.
Details of the Incident
According to English media reports, Darwin Núñez has been banned from international play for five matches due to his participation in a brawl between Uruguay and Colombia fans in the stands after the recent Copa America 2024 semifinal.
After the final whistle, Núñez directly engaged in a physical altercation with Colombian fans seated in the area designated for their supporters. Video footage showed Núñez punching a Colombian fan in the face, which led to a counterattack from another individual. Fortunately, intervention from other spectators prevented the situation from escalating further.
Marca reports that the Colombian fans had been provoking the Uruguayan supporters earlier. They were involved in unsportsmanlike behavior and even clashed with a group of Uruguay fans, including families and relatives of the players.
Following Uruguay’s defeat and witnessing the danger faced by their families, Núñez and some teammates ran into the stands to confront the opposing fans.
In response to the incident, Uruguayan football officials defended their players, claiming they were only trying to protect their families. However, this defense did not prevent the imposition of disciplinary measures.
Sanctions and Reactions
Due to his indiscreet actions, Núñez will be sidelined for five international matches with Uruguay. This means he will miss Uruguay’s World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador in the upcoming months of September and October. Additionally, Núñez will be fined £15,000.
Alongside Núñez, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for four matches and fined £12,000, while Mathías Olivera, Ronald Araújo, and José María Giménez each face a three-match suspension.
Uruguayan national team coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed his dissatisfaction with the South American Football Confederation’s (CONMEBOL) decision, noting the significant impact on his squad for the World Cup qualifiers.
Bielsa remarked: “All I can say is that they did what anyone would do. If you see your loved ones, your mother, or a child being attacked, what would you do? Should they be punished for trying to defend themselves?”
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