Colombia, Argentina concerned about safety at Copa America final after semifinal brawl

By ALANIS THAMES The Associated Press

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo, left, and midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, right, speak during a Copa America soccer news conference, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Colombia plays Argentina in the final Sunday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Lynne Sladky]

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina and Colombia expressed safety worries ahead of Sunday night’s Copa America final, days after Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and a handful of his teammates went into the stands amid a brawl following a semifinal loss to Colombia. The incident happened Wednesday just after referee César Ramos blew the final whistle following Colombia’s 1-0 defeat of Uruguay. Núñez and teammates climbed a staircase into a raucous crowd, and video showed Núñez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors. Uruguay captain José Giménez said players went in the crowd to protect their families.