Liverpool Star Handed Lengthy Ban After Fight With Fans During International Duty
Darwin Nunez is one of several Uruguay players who have been given match bans and/or fines due to their involvement in a major altercation with Colombia fans during the Copa America.
This incident took place following Uruguay’s semi-final defeat at the tournament in July, when several players, including the Liverpool striker, entered the stands to confront opposing fans.
The confrontation began when some fans in an area near where the players’ families were seated at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, USA, started fighting.
Nunez was seen trading punches with the fans and even attempted to hurl a chair into the crowd before police intervened and separated the groups.
The players and coaching staff from Uruguay have staunchly defended their actions, claiming they were acting in self-defense and were simply trying to protect their families.
However, the South American football governing body, CONMEBOL, has a different perspective, issuing bans and fines to 11 players as well as imposing sanctions on the Uruguayan football federation and one of their officials.
Nunez has received the most severe penalty, with a five-game suspension and a $20,000 (£15,100) fine.
The 25-year-old will now be absent from his country’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.
Tottenham’s midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has received a four-match suspension along with a $16,000 (£12,000) fine, while Facundo Pellistri, recently departed from Manchester United, is among six players fined $5,000 (£3,700).
Uruguay captain Jose Gimenez, who received a three-game suspension and a $12,000 (£9,000) fine, spoke out immediately following the incident, stating, “Our families are at danger. This is a disaster.”
“We had to rush into the stands to get our loved ones out, there were people with new-born babies
“I hope those who are organising this are careful. Our families are suffering. I hope they are careful and this doesn’t happen again because it is a disaster.”
The 2024 Copa America faced significant security challenges, raising concerns as the USA prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
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