Darwin Nunez handed lengthy ban following fan bust-up

A verdict was reached today

The Liverpool striker got into a hot water for partaking in a fight between players and fans in a Copa America match between Uruguay and Colombia.

The fight ensued after trouble broke out in the players' family section with Nunez climbing up railings to confront Colombia fans as teammates tried to restrain him.

The Uruguay players said they entered the stands to defend their families who they believed were in danger.

Nunez will now miss five international matches with Uruguay, starting from the first 2026 World Cup qualifiers this November.

Tottenham midfielder and fellow countryman Rodrigo Bentancur has also been banned, but for four games.

The ban will not affect club matches for either player.

Eleven players have been sanctioned by CONMEBOL, South American football's governing body, with the Uruguayan FA fined a sum of £75,000.

Ronald Araujo, Mathias Olivera, Jose Maria Gimenez have been banned for three matches each while a £3780 fine was given to a host of players.

After the game Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa came out in support of his players.

The former Leeds boss said: "The only thing I can say is that the players reacted as any human being would have done.

"If they are attacking his wife, his mother, a baby, his wife, his sister... What do you do?"

James Rodriguez's strike was enough for Colombia to win the heated semi-final and earn a place in the final Copa America final which they would eventually lose to Argentina.

Nunez has been on the bench for both of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, coming on for the final 18 minutes of Sunday's 2-0 win against Brentford.