Luis Suarez: Relatives To Small Children Affected By Riots

Luis Suarez was disappointed by the riots in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America (Instagram/@luissurez9).

JAKARTA - The riots occurred after the Uruguay vs Colombia match in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Several Uruguayan players clashed with Colombian fans after previously there was an incident of rioting between La Celeste fans and Los Cafeteros.

Luis Suarez, who entered the second half of the match, could not hide his disappointment.

He considered the incident dangerous for innocent people.

"Some players have wives, children, parents, and older relatives. They go to see how their game is. Then things start to happen, the picture you see."

"They are trying to protect their families. From what I have seen, many relatives and children have been affected. You are helpless in that situation," said the former Barcelona star.

In line with Suarez, Sergio Rochet, who is Uruguay's goalkeeper, described how terrible the chaos was.

In addition to physical clashes, there are also various kinds of objects that are very dangerous for the player's family.

You see, according to Rochet, Colombia supporters had targeted the throwing of these objects into the area where the families of Uruguayan players were.

"It was a bad moment. It was not good to see this problem, especially since the distance between your family is only two meters away. We are sad to be eliminated from the tournament and now we have to deal with this situation."

"From what I saw, they started throwing things. You try to get away from it, but when you see that it's your family, little kids, it's difficult," said Rochet.

Furthermore, Rochet highlighted the poor security in the 2024 Copa America semifinal match.

In fact, the security side of the organizers - which should be Conmebol's responsibility as the organizer and the United States as the host - cannot carry out risk analysis.

"Obviously it can actually be avoided. I think the area where the players' families are supposed to be protected by other types of security."

"Especially when you find out that Uruguay's supporters are outnumbered by Colombia supporters. When you see your family there, all the players try to get up and get them out," said Rochet.

The tense moment was the aftermath of clashes between Uruguay and Colombia fans. Riots then spread.

Colombian supporters are eyeing the Uruguay player's family area. After the match, the La Celeste players tried to save their families in the stands to get out of danger.

However, when he was about to save his family, several Uruguayan players were even held by Colombian supporters, resulting in clashes.

The 2024 Copa America semifinal match between Uruguay vs Colombia ended 0-1. Los Cafeteros has the right to advance to the final thanks to Jefferson Lerma's single goal and will meet Argentina.