ASUNCION: On Wednesday, the South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL punished a number of Uruguayan international players in connection with events that occurred during the Copa America semifinal match against Colombia in July. Five Uruguay players were suspended following the match; Nunez was banned for five games and Bentancur for four.
Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez will be out for five Uruguay fixtures, while Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was banned for four matches. Mathías Olivera, Ronald Araújo and José Maria Giménez will miss three games apiece.
Uruguay’s next games in World Cup qualifying will be as host to Paraguay on Sept. 6 and four days later at Venezuela. Núñez will also miss the matches against Peru and Ecuador in October and the home game with Colombia in November at Five Uruguay players suspended after Copa America brawl; Nunez banned for five games, Bentancur four.
The incident took place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with Uruguay players involved in a brawl with fans after their team lost 1-0 to Colombia. Núñez will also pay a fine of $20,000, Bentancur $16,000 and Olivera, Araujo and Giménez $12,000 each.
Seven other Uruguay players will also pay a fine of $5,000 apiece at Five Uruguay players suspended after Copa America brawl; Nunez banned for five games, Bentancur four.
Giménez told journalists after the incident the team were trying to protect their families from Colombian supporters.