WATCH: Jose Maria Gimenez defends Uruguay players for going into stands with Colombia fans – 'A disaster'
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez has defended Uruguay players after they climbed into the stands to fight Colombia fans following their 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat.
Several stars including Gimenez, Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Liverpool's Darwin Nunez were seen in the stands confronting Colombia fans, with the latter hitting a Colombia fan who had earlier slapped him. Gimenez explained, as reported by Optus Sport, that they were defending their families.
“Please pay attention, because our families are in the stands. They rained things on our families, a certain section of Colombia fans. And they won't let you talk, so I'm going to say it now. This is a disaster. Our families were in danger.”
“We had to go to the stands to remove our loved ones, there were small children, a newborn baby. It was all a disaster. There was no policeman, for half an hour no one came. It was all a disaster and we were there defending for our loved ones.”
Jose Maria Gimenez was livid with the organization in #CopaAmericaafter the Uruguayan players went into the stands to defend their family.pic.twitter.com/eBfN2KSile
— Football España (@footballespana_) July 11, 2024
“I hope that those who organize this are a little more careful, with the families, with the people and with the surroundings of the stadiums, because this is a disaster, because the same thing happens every game.”
“Our families suffer because of those who take a few sips of alcohol, don't know how to drink, and then behave like children who have no sense of respect. I hope they are careful and it won't happen again, because this is a disaster.”
