WATCH: Darwin Nunez throws punches at Colombian supporters amid Copa America violence
![Darwin Nunez engaging with hostile Colombian fans at Copa America](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2F1583222_uruguay-forward-darwin-nunez-hostile-fans-uruguay-colombia-copa-america-11-july-2024.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Watch as Liverpool and Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez throws punches at violent Colombia supporters to defend his family in Copa America brawl.
Colombia’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in the Copa America semi-finals was marred by ugly scenes as Darwin Nunez and teammates were involved in an altercation with Los Cafeteros supporters.
The Liverpool striker, among others, rushed to his family’s defence as violence broke out between rival sets of supporters where Nunez’s wife and son were seated.
In the footage, a supporter throws a full pint of beer at Nunez as he attempts to form a wall between the aggressors and Uruguayans.
The fiery forward wasted no time in retaliating as he threw punches at three Colombian supporters and needed to be held back.
Uruguay players have entered the stands and a fight has broken out between fans and players pic.twitter.com/XRbte2ibiy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
Other footage shows Nunez attempting to throw a chair towards the crowd, only to be thwarted by a security guard.
Uruguay’s number 11 was later seen consoling his crying son after the ugly scenes.
Though he may have to face the consequences of his actions, X, formerly known as Twitter, largely leapt to his defence as the extent of the security failure emerged.
The Uruguayan camp has been highly critical of CONMEBOL and the poor security operation at the Bank of America stadium.
Speaking after the match, captain Jose Gimenez said: “They stormed all our families.”
“This is a disaster. Our family is in danger. We had to get on the top of the stands as soon as possible to rescue our loved ones. With newborn babies. It was a disaster.”
He revealed that the Uruguay players were left to fend for themselves for 30 minutes as the ordeal unfolded.
“There was not a single policeman. Officers popped in after half an hour.”
CONMEBOL have since released a statement which read:
"CONMEBOL strongly condemns any acts of violence that affects football. Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on or off the pitch. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party."