A Liverpool star has now been slapped with a massive ban and a heavy fine for his involvement in a violent brawl with fans last month.
South American football governing body CONMEBOL has officially sanctioned Liverpool star Darwin Nunez for his role in a fight between players and fans at the 2024 Copa America in July.
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The incident took place during the match between Nunez's national team Uruguay and Colombia in the semi-finals of the competition, from which the latter side emerged victorious.
The Reds striker has now been given a five-match international ban for his part in the brawl, as well as a £15 000 (about R352 000) fine, according to The Express.
It is believed the goal-poacher climbed into the crowd in an effort to protect his loved ones, who were seated in the family section that had been stormed by a mob of disorderly fans.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the 25-year-old tried to throw a foldable chair during the fracas but a security guard made a timely intervention, preventing the chair from hitting anyone.
Nunez will now not be eligible to play for his nation until the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November.
As such, he is expected to miss crucial fixtures against Guatemala, Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.
It is understood that, in all, 11 players have been sanctioned for the violent incident, including Nunez's compatriot and Tottenham Hotspur star Rodrigo Bentancur, who received a four-match ban for his part.
Additionally, the Uruguayan football association has been fined a sum of £15 000 by CONMEBOL for failing to control its players.
While Nunez was handed the harshest punishment, his teammates Mathias Olivera, Ronald Araujo, and Jose Maria Gimenez all got three-match bans for their misconduct, plus fines of £9 000 (about R212 000) each.
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Meanwhile, Santiago Mele, Matias Vina, Sebastian Caceres, Emiliano Martinez, Facundo Pellistri, and Brian Rodriguez have each been fined £3 800 (about R89 000) for their wrongdoing.