The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delivered a decisive blow, upholding the suspensions of several Uruguayan football stars following the infamous brawl during the 2024 Copa America semifinal against Colombia. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) and players, including Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, saw their appeal dismissed, leaving them sidelined for crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nunez, along with Rodrigo Bentancur, José María Giménez, Mathías Olivera, and Ronald Araújo, will miss Uruguay’s next three CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay, Venezuela, and Peru. Nunez could make his return on September 13th when Uruguay faces Chile in Santiago. Bentancur, however, faces a harsher four-match ban, further complicating Uruguay’s campaign.
“The conduct of the Players constituted a voluntary, violent and unjustified action” – CAS stated
The chaos erupted after Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat in Charlotte, North Carolina, when several Uruguayan players stormed into the stands, clashing aggressively with Colombian fans. Giménez defended their actions, claiming they were protecting their families. However, CONMEBOL’s investigation concluded the players were guilty of violent conduct, a verdict CAS has now solidified.
CAS explained, “The appeal by the Players and the AUF was heard remotely on March 28th, 2025. The Panel rejected the players’ self-defence argument, stating their actions were voluntary, violent, and unjustified, violating the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code. Therefore, the appeal was dismissed, and the sanctions upheld in full.”
In addition to the suspensions, Bentancur was fined $16,000, and the Uruguayan federation received a $20,000 penalty, marking a dark chapter in the nation’s football history.
For the latest updates on football and sports news, visit best football betting sites in India.
