- Tech giants go nuclear in AI arms race
- 1,100 mpox deaths recorded across Africa: CDC
- UK's National Gallery bans liquids after activist art attacks
- Onboard wifi is latest frontline in airline competition
- Instagram moves to face rising tide of sextortion scams
- Tributes to One Direction's Liam Payne after hotel balcony fall
- Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for ex-leader Hasina
- Israel says 'checking' if Hamas chief Sinwar killed in Gaza
- Victims of Vietnam tycoon's record scam count losses after sentence
- EU leaders talk tough on migration, but divided on action
- Global stocks climb as ECB cut rates and tech rebounds
- Biden heads to Germany to discuss Ukraine, Middle East
- US retail sales pick up pace in September
- Pakistan sense series-levelling win over England after Sajid heroics
- Kenya deputy president falls ill during impeachment trial
- Mbappe to keep any explanations for Swedish justice, 'if necessary' - lawyer
- 345,000 Gazans face 'catastrophic' hunger this winter: UN
- ECB makes back-to-back interest rate cuts as inflation falls
- France's richest family, Red Bull in 'exclusive talks' for Paris FC takeover
- Public money 'must be at core' of new climate pact: UN's Stiell
- Russian MPs back ban on 'propaganda' of childless lifestyles
- New Zealand on top after India bowled out for 46 in rain-hit Test
- UK's Lammy visits China in bid to reset London-Beijing ties
- What's next in Swedish rape investigation into Mbappe?
- Nestle overhauls executive team as sales slump
- US B-2 bombers strike Huthi facilities in Yemen: military
- Eurozone stocks climb as ECB rate cut looms
- Lebanon crowdfunded ambulances under fire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- S Korean Nobel winner Han Kang hopes daily life 'won't change much'
- Pakistan extend lead beyond 200 in second England Test
- Liam Payne: One Direction singer swept up by teenage stardom
- Zelensky defends 'victory plan' at EU and NATO
- Vietnam death row tycoon jailed for life in separate trial
- Hard talk on migration tops agenda at EU summit
- Beckham says Ratcliffe needs time to revive Man Utd
- Conway puts New Zealand in lead after India bowled out for 46
- New Japan PM sends offering to Yasukuni war shrine
- S Korean court recognises misogyny as hate crime motive
- Couche-Tard executives in Japan to push 7-Eleven deal
- Martin targets mistake-free Australia MotoGP as Bagnaia lurks
- Tennis world No. 1 Swiatek hires stars' coach Fissette
- French Senate speaker 'astounded' by Macron 'ignorance' on Israel
- Israel strikes Syria, US pounds Huthis in Yemen
- India all out for record home Test low of 46 against New Zealand
- China says UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to visit this week
- Iran Guards chief warns will hit Israel 'painfully' if attacks Iranian targets
- Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three
- Zelensky in Brussels to defend 'victory plan' at EU and NATO
- Markets mixed as China's latest stimulus leaves traders wanting
- Climate-hit Pacific Islands plot landmark UN court case
RYCEF | 1.48% | 7.41 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.08% | 24.94 | $ | |
SCS | -1.08% | 13 | $ | |
RBGPF | 1.67% | 60.5 | $ | |
BCC | -3.13% | 142.545 | $ | |
RIO | -2.11% | 64.59 | $ | |
RELX | 1.05% | 48.66 | $ | |
BCE | -0.06% | 33.46 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.4% | 25.05 | $ | |
JRI | -0.3% | 13.131 | $ | |
VOD | -1.16% | 9.737 | $ | |
GSK | -0.46% | 39.03 | $ | |
NGG | -1.32% | 67.25 | $ | |
AZN | -0.19% | 78.165 | $ | |
BTI | -0.77% | 35.525 | $ | |
BP | 0.94% | 31.225 | $ |
Bielsa fury over brawl sanctions threat, blames Copa organisers
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa lashed out at Copa America organisers on Friday, saying they were to blame for the brawl between his players and Colombian fans following their semi-final exit.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's third-place playoff against Canada, Bielsa reacted angrily to the disciplinary proceedings opened by CONMEBOL following the violence which erupted after Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to Colombia on Wednesday.
Several Uruguay players, including Liverpool star Darwin Nunez, jumped into the stands and were seen fighting with Colombian fans after the game.
Uruguay's players have said they were defending family members being attacked by Colombian supporters at the Bank of America Stadium.
As many as a dozen Uruguayan players are reportedly under investigation by CONMEBOL following the incident -- a fact that has incensed veteran coach Bielsa.
"The players reacted like any human being would have done," Bielsa said at a press conference on Friday. "If you see your wife, mother, sister or baby being attacked, and no one is helping, what are they supposed to do? And they are going to punish the people who came to defend them?"
Colombian and Uruguayan fans were not separated at all in Wednesday's game.
The violence flared on the final whistle after Uruguay's defeat and continued for several minutes until police finally arrived.
Bielsa said blame for the incident should be pinned on tournament organisers for failing to ensure the safety of players' families.
"There were mothers with babies in their arms, wives and sisters being attacked. The protection of the spectator has nothing to do with the football team or the federation. You know who is responsible for that," he said.
"No one wanted to see a violent reaction. But the first thing to look at is what provoked the reaction.
"Any sanctions should not be for the footballers, but for those who forced them to act the way they did. They had no choice."
Bielsa was also critical of other organisational aspects of the Copa America, which was held in the United States and expanded to 16 teams this year to include CONCACAF nations.
The Uruguay coach said playing surfaces, many of which were comprised of grass overlaid on artificial turf, had been sub-standard.
Bielsa added that training pitches provided during the tournament "were a disaster."
L.Durand--AMWN