Watch: Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez fights with Colombia fans after Uruguay players’ families attacked

Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez was involved in violent altercations with Colombia fans following Uruguay’s Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday as players attempted to defend their families.

After Colombia sealed a 1-0 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, videos on social media showed what appeared to be Uruguay players climbing into the stands and exchanging blows with opposition fans.

Video footage showed Liverpool forward Núñez in the stands confronting Colombia supporters, with one individual seen punching him in the head as security attempted to restore calm.

Núñez was later seen with his young son on the pitch after taking him to safety.

South American football’s governing body Conmebol said it is investigating the incident and that it strongly condemns any acts of violence that affect football.

“Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values,” Conmebol said.

“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field.”

Uruguay’s Núñez and Ronald Araújo were among the players at the forefront of the melee. Captain José Maria Giménez said the players were trying to defend their families.

“Let me say something before they cut you off because they won’t let us speak into the microphone, they don’t want me to say anything about what’s going on but this is a disaster,” Giménez said on the official broadcast.

“Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies. It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families.

“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink.”

Players and staff from both Colombia and Uruguay were also involved in a confrontation on the field after the final whistle.

“I thought that the incident ended with some argument on the midfield and when I saw that happening I went to the locker room,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said in a press conference.

“I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there unfortunately.”

Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header gave Colombia a place in Sunday’s final against Argentina while Uruguay will play Canada in the third-place play-off.