Copa America soccer match turns into a fight with fans, players

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If this had happened during a match, the refs would have thrown a red card.

A fight broke out at a soccer match Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, between fans and some of the players. The fight happened after the final whistle during a match between Uruguay and Colombia, Sports Illustrated reported.

Uruguay player Darwin Núñez and several of his teammates entered the stands after their team lost 1-0, The Associated Press reported. A small pocket of Uruguay fans began fighting with Colombia fans. That’s when Núñez and other teammates climbed stairs and got in the middle of the battle, hitting a fan who was wearing Colombian colors.

The Athletic called it “an ugly, chaotic and extraordinary scene that overshadowed a compelling match.”

José Giménez said his team went into the stands to protect their family members.

“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. It was a disaster. There was not a single police officer,” Giménez said according to Fox Sports.

The AP reported that it took 10 minutes for officers to arrive and bring the fight under control. About 100 Uruguayan fans and staff stayed on the field for 20 minutes as the Colombian fans left the stadium.

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