Uruguay Players Fight With Colombia Fans in Ugly Scene After Copa America Semifinal

Andy Nesbitt | Jul 11, 2024

Jul 10, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Fans get into an altercation with players and staff from Uruguay after the Copa Armerica Semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Uruguay lost to Colombia, 1-0, in Wednesday night's Copa America semifinal match that saw an absolutely wild scene break out after the final whistle as Uruguay players fought with Colombia fans in the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

An emotional José María Giménez of Uruguay spoke with Fox Sports after the game, saying: “This is a disaster, our family was in danger. We had to get into the stands to get our loved ones out, with small newborn babies. There was not a single police officer and we were there standing up for our own.”

Colombia fans could be seen throwing drinks and punches at the players as security tried its best to stop what quickly became a violent scene.

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

Here's another angle:

After defeat to Colombia, Uruguayan players entered the stands at Bank of America Stadium and began to throw punches. Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez amongst those at the forefront. pic.twitter.com/VE3unKObSa

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 11, 2024

Here's Giménez talking about what sparked the fight:

"This is a disaster. Our family is in danger."

Uruguay's José María Giménez speaks on the altercation with fans that occurred in the stands following the Copa América Semifinal vs Colombia ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Y0ytj44ioK

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024

Colombia will face Argentina in the championship game on Sunday while Uruguay will play Canada in the third-place game on Saturday.