Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and a dozen of his Uruguay teammates went into the stands at Bank of America Stadium as fans brawled following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in their Copa America semi-final on Thursday (AEST).
After a physical and contentious match in Charlotte, USA, a melee broke out behind the Uruguay bench after Mexican referee Cesar Ramos’ final whistle.
The 70,644-strong crowd at the stadium was about 90 per cent in favour of Colombia, but a small patch of Uruguay fans fought with Colombia supporters as beverages were thrown.
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Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez engages with hostile fans in the stands after the Copa America semi final between Uruguay and Colombia. Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Image
Nunez and several of his teammates then climbed a staircase into the crowd.
A video showed Nunez hitting a fan in Colombian team colours.
Uruguay captain Jose Gimenez said players went into the crowd to protect their families.
“This is a disaster. Our family is in danger. We had to get into the stands to take out our loved ones with small babies, newborns,” he told Mexican sports channel TUDN.
“Everything was a disaster. There was not a single police officer.”
It took more than 10 minutes for police to arrive on the scene and restore order.
Ronald Araujo reacts towards fans in the stands after Uruguay’s Copa America loss to Colombia. Omar Vega via Getty Images
The public address announcer asked for fans to leave the stadium, but several supporters remained.
About 100 Uruguayan fans and members of the federation staff remained on the field more than 20 minutes after the game, while Colombia fans made their way out to celebrate.
“There was some argument in the midfield, and when I saw that happening, I went to the locker room. I thought they were thanking the fans for their support,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said.
“But then I learned there were some problems over there, unfortunately.”