Darwin Nunez, Uruguay players fight Colombia fans in stands following Copa America post-match dustup
Things got chaotic in a hurry at the end of regulation between Colombia and Uruguay in their Copa America semifinal matchup on Wednesday night. Colombia won the game 1-0, but a scuffle broke out between the teams after the game was over. The players were eventually separated by referees, but then Darwin Nunez of Uruguay decided to take things into the stands. He went after some Colombian fans, even though some of his teammates were trying to hold him back from doing so.
Nunez was shirtless after he had given his jersey away to a fan. And he had his hair tied up in a ponytail after he climbed over the barrier and went into the stands. The game was being played in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Police eventually separated the fans in the stands from the Uruguay players, but it didn’t seem easy as you might imagine. Here’s another video from Fox Soccer on the fight between the players after the game ended.
There must have been something in the water on Wednesday evening, as the scene resembled something similar to the Pacers-Pistons “Malice at the Palace” fight from 2004. It’s one of the more famous fights in American sports history and ESPN even made a documentary on it titled, “Untold: Malice at the Palace”.
According to multiple reports on social media, Darwin Nunez went into the stands after his family members were attacked by Colombian fans. Six fans have been arrested. Ronald Araujo tried to hold Nunez back before he went into the stands, but failed. And once Nunez cleared the barrier, that’s when things got even more heated.
No matter the reason for him going into the stands, he’s looking at a long, long suspension. Whatever punishment is going to be handed down is bound to be severe, no doubt about it.
With the win, Colombia advances to the Copa America final. They’ll face Lionel Messi’s Argentina during the final on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Meanwhile, Uruguay is set to face off against Canada in the third-place match at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.