Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has launched a scathing review of the 2024 Copa America tournament after his side were dumped out in the semi-finals.
They lost to Colombia on Wednesday, but it was not the football that stole the headlines.
Mass disorder broke out between several Uruguay players – including Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez – and some Colombia fans in the stands in North Carolina.
The incident came up as the Colombia fans were sitting in the same section as many families of the Uruguay players and it led to heated arguments.
Players on the pitch after the match could see trouble brewing and things only escalated from that point onwards.
Other Uruguay players got involved, including Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who launched a bottle into the crowd.
This conference with Marcelo Bielsa is incredible…
He calls out the shambolic organisation from Conmebol and USA for Copa America.
From the state of the pitches, to his players having to protect their families in the stands.
Well worth a watch! 🎆 pic.twitter.com/pEY8g3RhBB
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 12, 2024
CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, has opened an investigation into the incident and reports suggest several players could now be facing bans.
This ignited rage from Bielsa, who slammed both CONMEBOL and hosts USA, for their shocking lack of consideration and organisation for the match.
He said: “How can you not defend your mother, your sister, a baby?
“If they did not do it, they would have been condemned by all of us.
“The sanction does not have to be for the footballers, but for those who forced them to act like this.
“This is a witch hunt. It is a shame.”
Over 70,000 fans were present at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with the statistics suggesting over 90% of those spectators were there to support Colombia.
Here’s the video of Nunez jumping up into the stands. He is told something by his significant other before he goes ballistic. #Uruguay #Colombia #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/Wvg8TXGi0b
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 11, 2024
Dozens of Uruguay players actually climbed into the crowd to confront the fans causing trouble near their families.
There is one particular video involving Nunez where he can be seen throwing punches and brawling with those in Colombia shirts.
Bielsa added: “We are in the United States, the country of security.
“You should have asked me if we have received an apology, not if I fear sanctions!
“What sanction are they talking to me about? What we have to see is when are they going to apologise.”
Uruguay may have been eliminated from the tournament, but they still have to take part in the third-place play-off against Canada.
There is no further word yet on sanctions for any of the players and it remains to be seen whether Bielsa will bother fielding a strong team for the match.
