Copa América: Luis Suárez criticises Colombia celebrations

Uruguay striker Luis Suárez slammed Colombia’s “ugly” celebrations after Wednesday’s Copa América semifinal resulted in violent scenes as gamers argued on the pitch and fought with followers within the stands on the Financial institution of America Stadium.

Colombia ahead Miguel Borja celebrated in entrance of the Uruguay gamers after the 10-man facet sealed a 1-0 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, organising a closing Sunday with holders Argentina.

In the meantime, Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and several other teammates climbed into the stands and brawled with supporters earlier than safety personnel stepped in to revive order.

“There are at all times squabbles, jokes or no matter, however what’s annoying is the way in which [Borja] celebrated,” Inter Miami’s Suárez instructed reporters after the sport.

“It is senseless to have fun like that. We eradicated Brazil the opposite day and none of us handed in entrance of any Brazil participant. The alternative. We went to them afterwards as a result of we’re colleagues on the pitch and we all know what it’s wish to be knocked out.

“To have fun in entrance of an expert colleague like that’s ugly … However what goes round comes round.”

As Borja celebrated, a few of Uruguay’s gamers headed to a piece of the stadium near the place their households have been seated, who Suárez mentioned had objects thrown at them.

“You see your associate, youngsters, dad and mom … aged folks within the stands and also you need to understand how they’re,” Suárez added.

“Issues had began to fall on them. Nobody desires to see these photos, however clearly in case you see {that a} member of the family is being attacked, you try to defend them. It doesn’t justify what occurred, however you must realise they have been making an attempt to guard their households and their youngsters.

“I may see from afar that there have been lots of households and lots of of my teammates’ youngsters trapped in that part. It is regular that you simply really feel helpless and need to assist after they’re having issues thrown at them.”

Movies on social media confirmed Liverpool ahead Núñez on the forefront of the melee exchanging blows with opposition followers.

South American soccer’s governing physique CONMEBOL, which organises the event, has since mentioned it’s investigating the incident and “strongly condemns any act of violence that impacts soccer.”

Ignacio Alonso, the president of the Uruguayan Soccer Affiliation, mentioned the gamers reacted due to the hazard posed to their households.

“It was an instinctive, pure response to defend their youngsters, their companions, dad and mom and siblings,” Alonso mentioned.

“There was additionally some aggression the place we have been, however what’s most worrying is what occurred down on the pitch. It was resolved fairly shortly ultimately, however not with out some inconvenience as you all noticed.

“We’re analysing the pictures. There would not look like anybody with difficulties in the meanwhile and measures have been taken to assist folks obtain transport to the suitable locations and help offered to those that had panic assaults.

“Now, again within the lodge, we’ll correctly evaluate what occurred. There are households within the stands at each event. Usually there’s a cordon or one thing related.”

Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header sealed the win for Colombia, which needed to play all the second half with 10 males after Daniel Muñoz was despatched off.

It’s the first time they’ve reached the ultimate since 2001, after they received the competitors for the one time of their historical past. They are going to face 15-time winners Argentina on the Onerous Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday evening.

Uruguay will meet Canada within the third-place sport on Saturday at Financial institution of America Stadium.