Almost exactly two decades after the infamous Malice at the Palace, the Copa America tournament has experienced its own disturbing incident involving players and fans.
On Wednesday, Uruguay faced Colombia in the Copa America semifinal at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Colombia, but the real drama unfolded after the final whistle.
A group of Uruguay players entered the stands and engaged in physical confrontations with Colombian fans. The altercation began as players used a stairwell that connected the pitch to the spectator area. Footage of this chaotic scene was broadcast on FOX, capturing the intense moment.
RELATED: USWNT Soccer Star Sophia Smith To Be Suspended Over Childish Antics on Bench
Among the most involved was Darwin Núñez of Liverpool F.C., a key player for Uruguay. Despite having removed his jersey, Núñez was easily identifiable by his distinctive man bun. Multiple video angles from the stands revealed Colombian fans throwing trash and liquids at the Uruguay players, who retaliated with punches.
Another local television angle highlighted Núñez squaring off in the crowd, ultimately receiving a punch to the head.
The semifinal match itself was fraught with tension and aggressive play. Colombia was reduced to ten men late in the first half when Daniel Muñoz was ejected for violently elbowing Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte. Muñoz, already on a yellow card, received a second yellow for the elbow, resulting in a red card and automatic dismissal.
Throughout the match, a total of four yellow cards were distributed between the teams, reflecting the heated nature of the contest. The hostility extended beyond the final whistle, with players from both sides engaging in a postgame scuffle at midfield. This confrontation appeared to be sparked by Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, known for his contentious history with opponents.
Despite the post-match chaos, Colombia’s triumph secured their place in the Copa America final against Argentina on Sunday. This marks Colombia’s first final appearance since their championship victory in 2001. The team also extended their impressive unbeaten streak to 28 matches. However, the overshadowing brawl between players and fans threatens to tarnish their achievement, drawing parallels to the notorious sports altercations of the past.
