Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez BANNED for five games after jumping into the crowd and throwing...
Liverpool's Nunez Suspended For Crowd Altercation
Posted: 3:08 PM BST, August 28, 2024 | Last modified: 4:03 PM BST, August 28, 2024
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, and Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo have all received suspensions from CONMEBOL after incidents involving players and fans during the Copa America tournament earlier this year.
The three players were members of the Uruguay team that was defeated 1-0 by Colombia in the semi-final match in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 10th.
After the game, there was chaos in the audience and on the field. Nunez was seen on video throwing punches, although he didn't hit many people. He entered the stands to defend his family members.
Nunez was captured on camera swinging a collapsible chair on the playing field until a security guard stepped in.
Araujo also joined the fans in the crowd, and Bentancur was observed tossing bottles into the stands.
Darwin Nunez (middle) caught on camera getting into a fight with spectators following Uruguay's defeat to Colombia in a Copa America semi-final in North Carolina in July.
Nunez attempted to hurl a chair at a cluster of Colombian supporters, but his attempt was thwarted by a security guard.
Nunez has been given a five-game ban by the governing body of football in South America.
Bentancur will be unable to play in the next four matches, while Araujo, Mathias Olivera, and Jose Gimenez are facing suspensions for three games.
These restrictions will not affect games played in clubs.
Still, they might jeopardize Uruguay's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Uruguay's upcoming five games are all part of the World Cup qualification rounds. They will face off against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Nunez is currently the top goal-scorer in the South American qualifying tournament, with five goals for Uruguay in the first six matches.
Nunez is not allowed to play for five games, but he can still play for Liverpool.
Forward Nunez was captured in photos during Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.
However, Nunez has only played for approximately 20 minutes in Liverpool's first two Premier League games of the 2024-25 season.
Following a game where he didn't get to play in a 2-0 victory against Ipswich at the start of the season, he finally got some time on the field during a game at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool also won that game 2-0 against Brentford.
