Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez has been banned for five matches and fined by the South American confederation CONMEBOL following his involvement in a mass brawl during the Copa América semi-final.
Four other players have also been suspended, with a total of 11 players sanctioned as a result of the investigation into the violence at the end of the match between Uruguay and Colombia in Charlotte.
Núñez was among the players who entered the stands at the Bank of America Stadium and exchanged punches with fighting fans during the chaotic conclusion of the game.
The forward received the most severe punishment, with others facing suspensions of four matches or less, alongside fines.
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who plays for Tottenham in England, was suspended for four matches, while defenders Mathías Olivera, Ronald Araújo, and José María Giménez were each banned for three matches.
Núñez was fined $20,000, with the other players receiving fines ranging from $16,000 to $5,000.
Six other players received fines only.
Additionally, the Uruguayan Football Federation was fined $20,000, with the amount to be deducted from revenue and prize money.
Uruguay central defender Giménez stated that players had joined the fray out of concern for the safety of family members and loved ones who were watching the game in that section of the stadium.
The punishments are open to appeal, but the CONMEBOL statement did not specify when the suspensions, which apply to games organised by CONMEBOL and not domestic competitions, would begin.
Uruguay are scheduled to play a friendly against Guatemala in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday before heading into World Cup qualifiers at home to Paraguay on 6 September and away to Venezuela on 10 September.
Colombia won the game 1-0 but lost the final to Argentina.
AFP
