(NewsNation) — Uruguay soccer players jumped into a fight in the stands after their 1-0 loss to Colombia Wednesday in the Copa America semifinal because they said Colombia fans were harassing their families.
In a video posted to X, Colombia fans appeared to be fighting with Uruguay fans and players after the final whistle, and objects were thrown. The game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of one of the most anticipated soccer tournaments of the year.
Around 90% of the 70,000 fans in attendance were Colombia supporters, the Associated Press estimated. It took more than 10 minutes for police to restore order.
Uruguay’s captain, José María Giménez, denounced the fighting on the broadcast after the game.
“Please be careful, our families are in the stands, and there are tiny newborn babies. It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families. This is because of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink,” Giménez said in Spanish.
Giménez said security was inadequate at the event.
One of the players involved, Darwin Núñez, was seen in a video posted to X comforting his child on the field after the incident.
When the fighting began, some family members of the Uruguay players escaped onto the field, but once the players saw what was happening, several ran into the stands.
Security intervened before players returned to the field, followed by some family members.
With the win, Colombia is headed to the Copa America final for the first time in 23 years to face off against the defending champion Argentina.
Uruguay play Canada in Saturday’s third-place match.