Uruguayan players and Colombian fans clash in the stands after the Copa America semi-final

Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Nunez, apparently clashed with Colombian fans after the Copa America semi-final on Wednesday evening.

After the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, there were clashes between fans in the stands and players who entered the area of ​​the stadium where their families, including children, were present.

Among those involved in the incident were Liverpool striker Nunez, as well as FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez, also pictured nearby.

Video footage showed Colombian fans clashing with Uruguayan supporters and players, throwing objects, including drinks cans.

Security personnel then apparently intervened before the players returned to the pitch along with some family members following them.

Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Núñez, apparently clashed with Colombian fans after the semi-final of the Copa America.

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Players such as Nunez were visibly shaken by the incident. He was later photographed on the pitch being consoled by his Liverpool teammate Luis Diaz and Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

Gimenez, who captained Uruguay in that match, said later in the televised broadcast that the players feared for the safety of their families.

“Colombian fans in a certain area attacked our families,” he said. “They didn’t let us speak on the microphone. It’s a disaster, our families were in danger. We had to rush to the stands to get our loved ones out with tiny newborns.”

“It’s a total disaster. There wasn’t a single police officer there,” Gimenez claimed. “They came half an hour later. A disaster. And we were there, standing up for ourselves and our loved ones.”

Police officers were seen in the footage of the incident involving the players.

Darwin Nunez was consoled by Luis Suarez after the incident (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“Hopefully the organizers will take a little more precautions towards our families, the people and those around the stadiums. Because this happens at every game,” Gimenez continued.

“Our families are suffering because of some people who have a few drinks but don’t know how to drink and act like children. Hopefully they will take more precautions at the next game so that this doesn’t happen again because this is a disaster.”

Uruguay lost the match 0-1 and will next play Canada in the tournament’s third-place playoff match at the same stadium on Saturday.

The match between Brazil and Argentina in November was marred by similar crowd riots, as players were again unhappy with the policing of the areas where their family members were sitting.

Additional reporting: Felipe Cardenas, Melanie Anzidei

(Top photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)