‘This is out of control’: Liverpool star at centre of wild fan brawl at Copa America

There were wild scenes after a blockbuster Copa America match between rivals when a star player got into the middle of an ugly fan brawl.

Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and other Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans which erupted after their 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

Uruguay striker Nunez unleashed a flurry of punches at Colombian supporters after jumping into the spectator seating at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium following an ill-tempered loss to Colombia.

Uruguay central defender Jose Maria Gimenez said players had leapt into the melee out of concern for the safety of family members and loved ones watching the game.

“This is a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to go to the stands to take out our loved ones, with tiny newborn babies,” the Atletico Madrid player said.

“There was not a single police officer … I hope those who are organising this are a little more careful with the families.

“Every game it’s been happening because there are people who don’t know how to handle a couple of drinks.”

Watch the wild Copa America brawl in the video above

It was utter chaos in the stands after Colombia vs Uruguay. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP.

Nunez was going for it in the stands.

Darwin Nunez was in the thick of things., North Carolina. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Uruguay's Luis Suarez was fired up. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP)

The overwhelming majority of the spectators in the crowd were supporting Colombia but there was no segregation between them and their Uruguayan counterparts.

Several Uruguay players climbed into the crowd, seemingly to protect fans, with Nunez prominent.

Handbags at the full-time whistle. Uruguayan subs are throwing punches. It's all kicking off. This is out of control.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 11, 2024

The fighting continued for several minutes until police finally intervened. A group of around 80-100 Uruguayan fans remained in the stadium, on the pitch, long after the rest of the fans had left with Uruguay players returning to the field to meet them.

Tensions spilled over. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

There was no love lost between the two South American nations. Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images/AFP.

Ugly scenes also broke out on the field after the final whistle, with players and staff from both teams involved in a mass melee in the centre-circle following Colombia’s victory.

CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation which organises the Copa America, issued a statement condemning the incidents.

“CONMEBOL strongly condemns any acts of violence that affects football. Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values.

“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and 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.”