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Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez revealed that his teammates had to jump into the stands to protect their families after their Copa America semifinal against Colombia. He claimed that some Colombian fans mobbed their family members, which led to the physical altercation.
Speaking to the media after the game, Gimenez said that everything was a 'disaster' as some Colombian fans stormed to attack the players' families. He added that they had to swiftly move to help their loved ones and said (via TIME):
"They stormed all our families. This is a disaster. Our family is in danger. We had to get on top of the stands ASAP to rescue our loved ones."
Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association, also spoke to the reporters after the game and backed his players' decision to jump into the stands to protect their family. He said:
"Uruguay's players had an instinctive reaction that is natural, which is to defend and protect the children who were in that area of the stadium and were suffering attacks on the women, on the parents, on the closest family members, siblings. And it's a father's reaction that is intuitively natural and was very rational given the events that surrounded them."
Uruguay lost 1-0 to Colombia in the semifinal on Wednesday, July 11. The incident occurred after the final whistle when the players were seen running towards their families.
CONMEBOL release statement after Colombia fans attack families of Uruguay players
CONMEBOL, the South American football governing body and organizers of the Copa America, released a statement soon after the match, stressing they were against ay form of violence.
The statement read:
"CONMEBOL strongly condemns any act of violence that affects football. Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party."
Colombia will now face Argentina in the Copa America final on Sunday, July 14. Uruguay will play a third place play-off against Canada.
