LIVERPOOL’S DARWIN NUNEZ has been handed a five-game international ban for his role in the disorder that took place at the end of Uruguay’s Copa America semi-final against Colombia last month.
Following the final whistle, the striker appeared to confront supporters seated in the Colombia section of the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina after a brawl broke out near to where the Uruguay team’s families were seated.
Uruguay had just been beaten 1-0 by Colombia, who played the whole of the second half with 10 men, to miss out on a place in the final.
Nunez, who was captured in video footage throwing a chair towards where Colombia supporters were sitting, has also received an €18,000 fine.
Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur, who was involved in the fracas, has been given a four-game international ban and fined €14,000, whilst Mathias Olivera, Ronald Araujo and Josema Gimenez have each been suspended for three matches.
Uruguayan football officials defended their players in the aftermath of the incident, claiming they were simply trying to prevent their families from coming to harm.
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa rejected any suggestion his players should be sanctioned, saying: “The only thing I can tell you is that the players reacted like any other human being would.
“If you see your woman, or your mother, or a baby, being attacked, what would you do? You’d ask whether they’re going to punish the people who defended themselves?”
The ban means Nunez will miss his country’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.
Even as a liverpool fan time to sell him i think he has all the talent but hasent being great
@Square: Ya, I like him n all but his conversion rate isn’t good enough. Scores some outrageous goals and then misses a load of sitters. Can’t fault his work rate though.
@ecrowley ecrowley: I like him as well but he behind jota now who is improved so much before his injury last year jota was outstanding
@Square: he wouldnt hit a barn door and you know that right well too..what talent?striker is signed score goals..he’s been far from great for 100m Antony with utd the same also two duds
@ecrowley ecrowley: yep you can’t fault his work rate and he gives 100% but unfortunately he can not be trusted to take a high % of his chances. He has had some outstanding finishes but then some awful misses. If Liverpool to challenge City/Arsenal the margins for dropped points are so small I don’t think Slot can start him especially ahead of Jota who I think now is the main man and has to stay injury free if Liverpool to mount any title challenge
@Paully kells: zzzzzz
@Ger Power: work rate he gets a few minutes in which he runs offside crashes into people butchers any chance he gets but in fairness to him he punches his chest to the crowd and kisses the badge apparently that’s good enough.
@Ger Power: On the ball.
@Paully kells: Big mouth strikes again…
Anyway…quick analysis for you little one comparing Nunez to that lump of useless skin Antony…
Nunez Transfer fee £71.5- Antony £81.3
Nunez…33 goals 20 assists…
Antony 11 goals 5 assists.
Antony not even half the player Nunez is sunshine!
@damien leen: one is a striker the other is a so called winger. At least compare apples with apples princes
@Jaffa: jaffa cakes
@Jaffa: God you’re still floating about the place like the turd you are I see. Don’t worry, there’s a mercy flush coming pet.
@damien leen: ah you missed me. So nice. And so funny you’re actually trying to defend the modern day Andy Carroll and you’re comparing the worst United winger against him and feeling good about it.
Glorified Andy Carroll.
Disgraceful decisions. If those were Spanish players who stopped their families from being attacked by opposing fans they’d be lauded for their bravery! It’s the US organisers who should be punished.
Threw 40 haymakers but landed none