Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez found himself embroiled in a post-match altercation following Uruguay’s disappointing Copa America semi-final defeat to Colombia on Wednesday night.
Television footage and fan videos captured Núñez climbing over the barriers and entering the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was seen confronting Colombia fans, with others attempting to hold him back. Uruguayan outlet El País reports the incident occurred near where family members of the Uruguayan team were seated.
Reports suggest other Uruguay players were also involved in the confrontation. Captain José María Giménez, in comments to Reuters, described the situation as a “disaster” and claimed the players were acting to defend their families from unruly fans. He blamed the incident on “two or three people who had a few too many drinks.”
Núñez was later seen embracing his son on the pitch, seemingly after the altercation had subsided.
The incident comes after a frustrating night for both Núñez and Uruguay. The striker, who started the match, failed to convert any of his four scoring opportunities, and the team fell short of reaching the Copa America final, losing 1-0.
This outburst follows a period of on-field frustration for Núñez.
South American football’s governing body, Conmebol, has strongly condemned the incident and launched an investigation, emphasizing there’s “no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field.”
Núñez’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment from BBC News.
