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The Punishment Darwin Núñez Faced After the Copa América Incident
CONMEBOL's Disciplinary Commission has handed out sanctions to the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), 11 Uruguayan players, and one of their officials after clashes with fans during a Copa América semifinal in July, where Uruguay lost 1-0 to Colombia.
According to the decision posted on CONMEBOL's website, the AUF and the players have been fined, and several players were suspended for multiple games. One official has been banned from entering stadiums for six months.
The South American football governing body, based in Luque, Paraguay, slapped the AUF with a $20,000 fine for "violation" of Article 12.2 of the Disciplinary Code, specifically regarding "cases of collective aggression, brawl, or riot" and "any other breach of order or discipline that could occur in or around the stadium before, during, or after a match."
Liverpool striker Darwin Gabriel Núñez received one of the harshest punishments, being suspended for five matches and fined $20,000. The resolution also states that Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur must pay a $16,000 fine and serve a four-match suspension.
As for Mathías Olivera from Napoli, Ronald Araújo from Barcelona, and José María Giménez from Atlético Madrid, the ruling imposes a $12,000 fine and a three-match suspension. Sebastián Cáceres and Brian Rodríguez, both from Club América in Mexico; Matías Viña (Flamengo-BRA), Emiliano Martínez (Midtjylland-DEN), Santiago Mele (Junior-COL), and Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos-GRE) are each fined $5,000.
The decision attributes different violations of Articles 11.1 and 11.2 of the Disciplinary Code to the players, particularly regarding "violating the minimum standards of acceptable behavior in the realm of sport and organized football," behaving in a way that could "discredit football and CONMEBOL," and "committing acts of violence or aggression."
As for official Marcelo García, he’s been banned from entering stadiums for six months for competitions organized by CONMEBOL.
CONMEBOL also issued a "warning" against the Uruguayan Football Association for violating the Copa América Marketing and Media Regulations, particularly regarding interviews players can give on the field after each match.
The document clarifies that appeals can be made against these measures, which must be submitted to the CONMEBOL Appeals Commission within seven days "from the day following the notification of the decision's reasoning."
The sports body opened an investigation "to clarify the sequence of events and the responsibilities of those involved" in the incidents that occurred after the match between Uruguay and Colombia on July 10 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
After the game, several Uruguayan players, including Núñez, Araújo, and Giménez, jumped into the stands to fight with Colombian fans.