Footballer Darwin Núñez found himself in a heated confrontation with fans following Uruguay’s defeat at the hands of Colombia in the Copa America semi-final. The incident took place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Núñez was seen engaging with Colombia supporters in the stands after the match.

Reports from Uruguayan outlet El País indicate that the altercation occurred near the area where friends and family of the Uruguay team were seated. Núñez, who has not publicly addressed the incident yet, was captured on camera climbing railings and entering the stands to confront the opposing fans, with others attempting to intervene.

Uruguay captain José María Giménez spoke out about the situation, stating that the players were compelled to protect their loved ones in what he described as a chaotic scene. He criticized the lack of police presence and attributed the incident to a few individuals who were intoxicated and acted irresponsibly.

Following the altercation, South American football’s governing body Conmebol issued a strong condemnation of the incident and announced an investigation into the matter, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and intolerance both on and off the field.

The clash unfolded after Uruguay suffered a 1-0 defeat against Colombia, dashing their hopes of advancing to the Copa America final. Prior to the fan disturbance, tensions escalated on the pitch between players and coaching staff at the conclusion of the match.

Núñez, who had started the game as a forward for Uruguay, was unable to convert any of his four goal attempts during the match. The player, who recently made a high-profile move to Liverpool from Benfica for a substantial fee, has been a key figure in his club’s lineup, netting 20 goals in 65 appearances.

As the investigation into the incident unfolds, Colombia is set to face Argentina in the upcoming final match of the Copa America.