Search icon

Football

28th Aug 2024

Darwin Nunez handed lengthy ban following fan bust-up

Harry Warner

The Liverpool manager is set to miss five games.

Darwin Nunez has been handed a lengthy international ban following a bust-up with supporters after a Uruguay match in July.

The Liverpool striker got involved in a scuffle between players and fans in a Copa America match between Uruguay and Colombia.

The fight ensued in the players’ family section, and footage showed 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 Uruguay player 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 £3,780 fine was given to a host of players.

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.

WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?