Liverpool star Darwin Nunez was involved in a brawl with fans after his Uruguay team were knocked out of the Copa America tournament by Colombia.
Uruguay players, including Nunez, went into the stands after violence reportedly broke out in the players’ family section.
Footage showed him climbing up railings before confronting Colombia fans as others tried to restrain him, at the end of the match in the US city of Charlotte.
Uruguay players said they entered the stands to “rescue” their families.
A fracas behind the Uruguay bench saw a group of fans clash with Colombia supporters, who made up the vast majority of the crowd, with drinks thrown in the air.
Order was restored by police after around 10 minutes with some Uruguayan fans and staff members remaining on the field.
Darwin Nunez during the game. Pic: AP
Uruguay legend Luis Suarez, who came on as a substitute late in the game, said: “Obviously if someone is attacking your family you want to go and defend them but that doesn’t justify the image that it created.
“We had to protect our families that were there. What I could see there was a lot of family, a lot of children of my team-mates who were trapped and things were falling on them and you felt helpless.”
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The South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, released a statement after the game saying that it strongly condemns any act of violence that affects the game.
“Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field,” the statement said.
Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0.
Nunez could face a lengthy bans as a result of his actions.
His management company has yet to comment, nor has Liverpool.
It is understood the club are working to establish the facts and their football leadership intends to get in touch with Nunez once time difference to the US allows.
Initially, this will be to check on his and his family’s welfare, in keeping with the Reds’ duty of care to the player.
Liverpool is also expected to contact the Uruguayan federation.
The 48th edition of the Copa America, the quadrennial tournament that is the equivalent to the Euros for North and South America including the Caribbean, is being held in the United States from 20 June to 14 July.
Colombia will take on Argentina in the final on Monday.
