Uruguay’s coach Marcelo Bielsa has launched a scathing attack on CONMEBOL and the organizers of the 2024 Copa América, following the violent incident between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans after the semi-final match. In a series of fiery statements, Bielsa defended his players’ actions and criticized the lack of security measures and poor organization of the tournament.Bielsa argued that the players reacted naturally to defend their family members, including young children and elderly parents, from aggressive fans. He stated, ‘How can you not defend your mother, your sister, your wife, a baby? If they didn’t do it, they would have been condemned by all of us’. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) supported this stance, saying their fans were subjected to verbal violence, provocations, and aggression by Colombian supporters.The coach didn’t mince words in his criticism of the tournament organizers, calling them a ‘plague of liars’. He accused CONMEBOL of failing to provide adequate security and criticized the poor condition of training facilities. Bielsa also alleged that players and coaches, including Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, have been threatened with sanctions if they speak out about the tournament’s issues.CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into the incident, with 11 Uruguayan players under scrutiny, including Darwin Núñez and José María Giménez. However, this does not prevent them from participating in the upcoming third-place match against Canada.The controversy has cast a shadow over the tournament, raising serious questions about security measures and organization as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bielsa’s outspoken criticism has sparked a debate about player safety, fan behavior, and the responsibilities of tournament organizers in international football events.
Key points
- Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa strongly criticized CONMEBOL and Copa América organizers for poor security and organization.
- Bielsa defended his players’ actions in the brawl, stating they were protecting their families from aggressive fans.
- CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into the incident, with 11 Uruguayan players under scrutiny.
- The controversy raises questions about security and organization as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Contradictions👾While Bielsa strongly defends his players’ actions, CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into their behavior, suggesting a difference in perspective on the appropriateness of the players’ responses.
