Still Angry About The Chaos In The Audience Tribune, Bielsa Condemns The Implementing Of The American Copa

Uruguay national team striker Darwin Nunez (center) in a commotion incident with Colombian fans after the 2024 Copa America semifinal match. (ANTARA/AFP/BUDA MENDES)

JAKARTA - The chaos that occurred in the semifinal match between Uruguay vs Colombia, Thursday, July 11, still angered Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa.

He said the organizers of the Copa America must take responsibility for this embarrassing incident.

The former Leeds United coach also criticized the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) for imposing sanctions on the Uruguayan national team over the chaos that occurred after the game that Colombia won with a score of 1-0.

The incident involved a number of Uruguayan players, including Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez who climbed into the stands and fought with Colombia supporters.

Uruguayan players say they did this to defend their families who watched it in the stands but were attacked by Colombian supporters at the Bank of America Stadium.

"The players reacted like any human being," said Bielsa, quoted from ANTARA as reported by AFP, Saturday, at a press conference ahead of the match for third place against Canada, Sunday, July 14.

"If you see your wife, mother, sister or child being attacked, and no one helps, what should they do? And they (Conmebol) will punish those who come to defend themselves?" Bielsa complained.

Mantan pelatih Lazio menyatakan bahwa penyelenggara Copa Amerika merupakan pihak pertama yang harus diminta tanggung jawab atas insiden itu.

"The protection of the audience has nothing to do with the football team or the federation. Do you know who is responsible for that?" said the Argentine-born coach.

No one wants to see violence. But the first thing to look at is what sparked the reaction," Bielsa said. "Any sanction shouldn't be aimed at footballers."

After the commotion, Conmebol made a statement, "We would like to reiterate and warn that there is no tolerance for actions that could tarnish this global football celebration."

On the other hand, the coach who had taken charge of Chile did not give a statement regarding the match against Canada tomorrow.

The 2024 American Copa will end on Monday (15/7) WIB by bringing together Argentina vs Colombia in the final. Uruguay was eliminated in the semifinals after losing to Colombia even though Ronald Araujo cs managed to overthrow Brazil in the quarter-finals.