- At least 11 members of the Uruguayan national team squad might miss some dates of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers | Main photo: EFE/EPA
The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) included 11 players from the Uruguay squad in the file that opened following the brawl that occurred following the semi-final match between the Uruguayan team and the Colombian team.
This match was played on July 10 at the Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina) and ended with a 1-0 victory for the Colombians. The football association is seeking to “clarify the sequence of events and the responsibilities of those involved” in the fight that took place.
The Uruguayan national team players who are included in this file are:
– Santiago Mele – goalkeeper
– Jose Maria Gimenez – defender
– Ronald Araújo – defender
– Mathias Olivera – left back
– Matias Vine – defender
– Sebastian Caceres – defender
– Rodrigo Bentancur – midfield
– Emiliano Martinez – goalkeeper
– Facundo Pellistri – midfield
– Darwin Núñez – centre forward
– Brian Rodriguez – left back
“We have until Wednesday (July 17) to present the defense of each one. The idea is always that there is no sanction, but failing that, to try to make the sanction as minimal as possible. There were no preventive sanctions,” Gastón Tealdi declared for Radio Sport 890who was asked by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) for assistance in defending this situation.
According to Conmebol, if any of the players included in the file have to assume a sanction for their participation in the fight that occurred in the stands, the warning will not prohibit them from participating in the match for third place in the 2024 Copa América, which will be played on Saturday, July 13 at 8:00 pm between Uruguay and Canada.
The position of the National Secretary of Sports of Uruguay
Sebastián Bauzá, Uruguay’s National Secretary of Sports, said he spoke with several of the players who were involved in the fight and said they went to the stands because they felt their families were in danger.
“They are not going to the stands to fight with the Colombians, they are going because their relatives are there, who are being attacked. (…) The players’ families cannot be in the middle of the stands, at least apart or in a box. (…) They had asked for a box and they were told that nothing had ever happened, and they left them there,” said Bauzá in an interview with the newspaper. Canal 10 From Uruguay.
The former president of the Uruguayan Football Association also acknowledged that it is very likely that the players included in the investigation initiated by Conmebol will miss several dates of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“We have players who will surely be suspended for the qualifiers. We hope they will only play a few games,” said Bauzá.
Gastón Tealdi recalled that Argentina’s players had a similar situation at the Maracaná once morest Brazil in November 2023. He explained that the Albiceleste did not receive any sanction and ruled out the possibility of José María Giménez receiving any punishment for his statements, because “he simply expressed his opinion and what happened.”
After the match, Giménez criticised the lack of security at the stadium, which he believed led to the exchange of blows where the relatives of the Uruguayan national team players were.
“Please be careful, because the families are in the stands, they made an avalanche for all our family and they won’t let us speak into the microphone, I’m going to say it now because otherwise they’ll cut you off,” warned the Uruguayan national team defender.
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2024-07-13 08:06:57