DARWIN NUNEZ has received a five-match ban from internationals after jumping into the crowd during a brawl between Uruguay and Colombia fans.
Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur has also been handed a four-match ban, but neither suspension will impact their eligibility at club level.
The ugly scenes took place after Nunez’s Uruguay side lost 1-0 in their Copa America semi-final.
It is understood Liverpool forward Nunez climbed into the crowd in an attempt to protect his loved ones.
He also tried to throw a foldable chair but a security guard intervened to ensure he did not hit anybody.
Nunez has also been fined £15,145.
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Three other Uruguay players have received three-match suspensions – Mathias Olivera, Ronaldo Araujo and Jose Gimenez.
Nunez will miss Uruguay’s upcoming games friendly against Guatemala, but more importantly four World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.
Uruguay sit second behind Argentina after six games, with the top six automatically qualifying for LA 2026.
Atletico Madrid defender Gimenez fumed at the lack of security around the players’ family members in an explosive post-match interview.
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He said: “Let me say something before they cut you off because they won’t let us speak into the microphone.
“They don’t want me to say anything about what’s going on but this is a disaster.
“Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies.
“It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families.
“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink.”
Nunez, who arrived at Anfield for £85million, has been dropped from Liverpool’s starting line-up by new manager Arne Slot for their opening two Premier League games of the season.
He came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Brentford, but has been linked with a transfer away.
Barcelona have been named as one club interested in the ex-Benfica man.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
