New images have emerged showing Uruguayan striker and Liverpool star Darwin Nunez comforting his young son after Wednesday’s shocking brawl at the Copa America in Charlotte.
Nunez made international headlines when he confronted the hostile crowd and threw punches at Colombian fans following Uruguay’s 1-0 semi-final defeat. Other footage shows the 25-year-old attempting to throw a chair into the crowd before being stopped by security.
Teammate Jose Gimenez later told reporters that the Uruguayan players’ families were “rammed” by drunken Colombian fans, adding that Nunez had entered the fray to protect them.
That might explain why Nunez was seen shirtless holding and comforting his 2-year-old son, who bears his name, on the field alongside his wife, Lorena. Clearly shaken by the confrontation, Nunez rubbed his son’s back as his distraught wife spoke and gestured toward the crowd.
Other new footage shows Nunez lunging into the crowd while holding a black chair, which he attempted to throw toward fans. A security guard thwarted Nunez, but the violent encounter was just beginning.
Darwin Núñez comforts his young son after the shocking fight on Wednesday
Nunez attempted to throw a chair into the crowd, but was stopped by a security guard.
Several of Nunez’s teammates entered the fray while police remained curiously absent from the scene.
“It’s a disgrace, there wasn’t a single police officer to control them. We had to go out and defend our people, because they can’t control their alcohol consumption,” said Giménez.
Uruguayan players Maximiliano Araujo and Sebastián Cáceres were also among those seen near the fans.
The families of the Uruguayan players were escorted out of the stadium through a different exit to ensure their safety, according to journalist Favian Renkel.
Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa was asked about the post-match scenes and said he “didn’t see everything.”
‘I went to the locker room… the Uruguayan players were thanking the Uruguayan fans for their support,’ he continued.
Núñez clashes with fans after Uruguay’s defeat in the 2024 Copa América semi-finals
Araujo, who missed the match due to injury, was seen clashing with fans in the stands.
Uruguay will face Canada in the Copa America third-place match on Saturday, while Colombia will play rival Argentina in the final on Sunday.
The clash came after a closely contested match in which Colombia barely managed to hold on to a one-goal lead to advance to the Copa America final against Argentina.
In a heated atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium, Colombia saw a man sent off, both teams fouled each other severely and James Rodriguez was booked after an angry protest with the referee.
Muñoz was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the first half, the second of which saw him elbow Manuel Ugarte.
Liverpool’s Luis Diaz was also brought down on several occasions, while Uruguay incurred the wrath of their opponents when they refused to stop play with Richard Rios brought down in the far corner.
He was eventually taken away on a stretcher after trying to continue.
Colombia ultimately won 1-0 thanks to a header from Jefferson Lerma and will play Sunday’s final in Miami against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
