Uruguayan Football Association Releases Perfect Response To Fight In The Stands After Copa América Semifinal

The Uruguayan Football Association (UFA) has stated that it was "inevitable and natural" that players from its men’s soccer team jumped into the stands to protect their families on Wednesday.

After Uruguay lost 1-0 in the Copa América semifinals to Columbia, chaos erupted in the stands of the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Fans from both sides engaged in a wild brawl that saw fists, beer, and sweat fly for several minutes before it was finally broken up.

Uruguayan players jumped into the stands because some of their family members were in the middle of the chaos.

After the match, Uruguayan captain Jose Maria Gimenez was furious that security didn’t do more to prevent such a troubling scene from happening.

"They stormed all our families," Giménez said. "A certain sector of Colombia fans, and they won’t let us speak on the microphone. I’m going to say it now because I know I can because if not they’ll cut you off. This is a disaster. Our family is in danger. We had to get on the top of the stands ASAP to rescue our loved ones. With newborn babies. It was a disaster."

The UFA took a couple of days to respond to the incident, but once they did, they absolutely nailed their response.

Since this was written in Spanish, "The Sporting News’" Kyle Bonn did God’s work and translated it on X for those of us who aren’t bilingual.

The UFA Condemned Their Players' Actions, But Also Noted It was Understandable

According to Bonn, the UFA claimed that the response from the players was not condonable, but understandable.

"Unfortunately, the reported facts, which violated the healthy concept of family, generated an unjustified but humanely understandable response," the statement read.

The UFA acknowledged that there were inexcusable remarks made to the Uruguayan supporters. However, the UFA also noted that there might be sanctions from this event, and that they will conduct an impartial investigation regardless of what may arise in this area. 

CHARLOTTE, NC - Players of Uruguay fight with players of Colombia after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia at Bank of America Stadium on July 10, 2024. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

"A group of Uruguayan fans located behind the bench was involved in several skirmishes of rising temperature...with several families of players involved. In the context of moments of nervousness (and) despair, several players went to intercede for their protection & defense," the UFA continued. "Uruguayan fans were a strong minority, mostly families, and there were not sufficient security measures for the situation…In the face of these facts...the reaction of the players was inevitable and natural."

Frankly, this is the best possible response to an obviously tense situation. Players should not go in the stands to fight fans. But given the nuances of the situation here (Uruguayan fans being widely outnumbered, newborn babies involved, few security personnel), it is understandable how we saw a soccer version of the "Malice at the Palace."

Uruguay is scheduled to play a third-place match against Canada on Saturday at 8 p.m. Here's to hoping there won't be a need for security intervention in that game as well.