The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled against Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and his international teammates in a court case brought by the Uruguayan FA (AUF) against the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
CONMEBOL banned Nunez and several other Uruguayan players, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Betancur, following a confrontation between the team and Colombian fans in July 2024.
Videos circulated after the game in Charlotte, North Carolina, showed Nunez and his fellow international teammates climb into the away section and have a physical confrontation with opposition supporters. The incident led to the evacuation of 100 people from the ground.
It was alleged afterwards that the Uruguay team became engaged in the ruckus as they tried to defend their families, with fighting breaking out in the area near where they were situated.
The incident occurred following a bad-tempered Copa America semifinal, which featured two red cards. Colombia won the game 1-0, before losing the subsequent final to Argentina.
CONMEBOL opened an investigation into the post-match events and handed out suspensions for five players between three and five games, and imposed a fine of up to $20,000 per player.
“We want to reaffirm and warn that no action will be tolerated that tarnishes this global football celebration,” CONMEBOL said as it handed out the punishments.
“It is unacceptable that an incident like this turns passion into violence. Therefore, no behavior that harms the sporting competition will be tolerated.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The AUF appealed that decision, ultimately bringing the matter before CAS. The Uruagyan delegation aimed to have all sanctions removed. The case was heard on 28 March 2025, and CAS revealed that Nunez and the AUF lodged the appeal.
But it proved unsuccessful, with CAS delivering its verdict on Tuesday.
“Having heard the submissions of all Parties, the CAS Panel considered the Players’ argument that they acted under the principle of self-defence, as relatives of the Uruguayan football team were situated in the same sector where the altercation with Colombian fans occurred,” a statement read.
(Image: Photo by Ernesto Ryan/Getty Images)
“The Panel found that in this case, the principle of self-defence does not apply and that the conduct of the Players constituted a voluntary, violent and unjustified action, which was in violation of the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code.
“Accordingly, the appeal has been dismissed and the Appealed Decision, including the sanctions on Players and the AUF, has been upheld in full.”
It means Nunez, who was seen throwing a chair during the melee, will now serve a five-game ban, with Betancur suspended for four matches and Mathias Olivera, Ronald Araujo and Josema Gimenez given three-game bans.
They will also have to pay fines – $20,000 in Nunez’s case – while six other players were fined but not given suspensions.
