CAS Upholds Copa America Bans for Five Uruguay Players Including Nunez

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and four of his Uruguay teammates have had their appeals against suspensions for their involvement in a brawl with Colombia fans after the 2024 Copa America semifinal rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The players, including Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, Barcelona's Ronald Araújo, and Atletico Madrid's Jose Maria Gimenez, were banned for between three and five games by CONMEBOL following violent conduct in the stands at Bank of America Stadium, which they claimed was self-defense to protect their families. CAS dismissed the self-defense argument, deeming the players' actions as voluntary, violent, and unjustified, thereby upholding the sanctions. These suspensions mean Nunez will miss Uruguay's upcoming World Cup qualifier matches against Paraguay, Venezuela, and Peru, impacting the team's efforts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup under coach Marcelo Bielsa. The ruling highlights the serious consequences of the post-match altercation, which also involved fines and a six-month ban for a Uruguayan official who threw a bottle during the incident. Despite pleas from players and officials emphasizing family protection, the disciplinary bodies have maintained a firm stance against the violence, underscoring the importance of sportsmanship and order in international football.