Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa did not hold back in criticizing the organization and security at Copa America following a confrontation between his players and fans.
Darwin Nunez is among 11 Uruguay players under investigation for their involvement in a brawl that erupted in the stands after their semi-final match. Liverpool’s forward was deeply involved, defending his family and teammates’ families when fights broke out in their seating area.
No immediate suspensions have been issued, but Uruguay faces scrutiny. Before their third-place playoff against Canada, Bielsa launched a scathing critique of the tournament’s organization, arguing that his players had no choice but to intervene.
In a heated press conference, Bielsa said, “Someone asked if I fear sanctions when it’s clear that mothers holding babies, wives, and sisters were attacked by spectators. Protecting spectators is not the responsibility of the football team or the federation.
“You know whose job it is to ensure safety, yet the question is whether I fear sanctions. The real question should be whether the players have received an apology from those responsible for spectator safety.
“Am I afraid of a sanction that shouldn’t even be possible? The players reacted as any human would.
“If you see your family being attacked, what would you do? You’d wonder if the defenders will be punished. If the players hadn’t acted, they would be condemned.
“Violence is never acceptable, but we must consider what prompted the reaction and whether there was an alternative.”
Bielsa continued, branding the organizers “a plague of liars” for the poor condition of pitches and training grounds.
His comments followed a statement from the Uruguay federation, which defended the players’ actions as “inevitable and natural.” The federation described the players’ response as an “understandable reaction” to a situation where women and children were “held hostage” amid chaos and desperation.
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