Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and other Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans which erupted after their 1-0 Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

Jefferson Lerma scored the winner for the 10-man Colombia at Bank of America Stadium to progress to Sunday’s final. They play Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Television footage showed Uruguay striker Nunez unleashing a flurry of punches at Colombian supporters after jumping into the spectator seating at the stadium following an ill-tempered loss to Colombia.

Uruguay central defender Jose Maria Gimenez said players had leapt into the melee out of concern for the safety of family members and loved ones watching the game.

“This is a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to go to the stands to take out our loved ones, with tiny newborn babies,” the Atletico Madrid player said.

“There was not a single police officer... I hope those who are organising this are a little more careful with the families. Every game it’s been happening because there are people who don’t know how to handle a couple of drinks.”

The overwhelming majority of the spectators in the crowd were supporting Colombia but there was no segregation between them and their Uruguayan counterparts.

While punches were thrown several Uruguay players climbed into the crowd, seemingly to protect them, with Nunez prominent among them. The fighting continued for several minutes until police finally intervened.

Conmebol, the Latin American governing body, has opened an investigation into the incident.

Bielsa sorry

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said his side had more talent in their ranks than Colombia and therefore he should be blamed for the defeat.

“Uruguay were in a clear condition to win this match if you assess the individual talent in each squad,” Bielsa told reporters.

“I manage the team that, in my opinion, had the stronger individual talent vis-a-vis the opponents, and we weren’t able to make the difference that I thought we were going to make if you compared both formations.

“We were not able to seize our one-man advantage. I am personally liable for not achieving the result.”