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Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancourt, who caused controversy over racism against his Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min, is at the center of the stadium violence this time.
South American sports media TyC Sports said on the 12th (Korea time), "Fight was held in the stands after the semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia in Copa America in 2024."An audience member captured Bentancourt pitching a bottle of water (to the stands). A water bottle that flew into the air hit Uruguay's physical trainer Santiago Perot. This happened while Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) clashed head-on with Colombian fans with the intention of protecting the family and friends of the Uruguayan team. There was blood in Faroe's head. Fortunately, I did not lose consciousness,' he reported on the situation at the time.
In fact, a video released by a fan showed Bentancourt throwing a water bottle toward the stands. It appears to be aimed at a Colombian fan, but he hit a fellow staffer in the stands. If one Colombian fan had been hit, it could have caused similar injuries. Bentancur's actions are enough to be criticized as much as Núñez, who wielded a chair and a fist.
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The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and FIFA are also taking the situation seriously. The South American Football Federation, which issued a statement saying, `We strongly condemn all acts of violence,' is considering disciplinary action against 10 Uruguayan players involved in the violence in the stands, according to TyC Sports. Núñez, Bentancourt, Jose Jiménez (Atletico Madrid) and Ronald Araújo (Barcelona).
According to the British daily `The Sun', FIFA is tinkering with cards prohibiting football activities of those involved. If disciplinary action is confirmed, he could miss the 2024-2025 season until the beginning of the 2024-2025 season, according to The Sun. They say it can also damage their teams.
Uruguay's squad claims drunken Colombian fans attacked the team's family, adding: "We had to intervene to protect the family," he stressed.
Jimenez is "Doubtful. There was not a single police officer to control them. We had to defend ourselves against people who didn't control alcohol."
Uruguay lost 0-1 to Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) in the first half of the day and failed to advance to the final. Bentancur, who started, was replaced by Guillermo Barella (Flamengo) due to injury in the 34th minute of the first half and watched his team lose from the bench. Uruguay will play Canada in the 3rd-4th place on the 14th, and Colombia will compete with Argentina in the final on the 15th.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
