Marcelo Bielsa vehemently defended Uruguay’s gamers after they clashed with Colombia followers following their Copa America semi-final defeat.
La Celeste’s hopes of touchdown a record-breaking sixteenth title had been ended by a 1-0 loss in Charlotte on Wednesday, and they’ll subsequently face Canada in Saturday’s third-place playoff.
After the match, footage shared on social media confirmed La Celeste gamers climbing into the stands on the Financial institution of America Stadium when members of the family had been caught up in violence involving Colombia supporters.
CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into the incident however, when requested whether or not he feared going through sanctions, Bielsa insisted his gamers ought to obtain an apology relatively than punishment.
“You realize whose accountability it’s to guard the followers within the stands,” he angrily advised reporters at his pre-match press convention. “It’s important to ask me whether or not the gamers have acquired an apology from these liable for safeguarding safety.
“How are you going to not defend your mom, your sister, a child?!” If they didn’t do it, they’d have been condemned by all of us.
“The sanction doesn’t need to be for the footballers, however for individuals who pressured them to behave like that. It is a witch hunt. It’s a disgrace.
“You must have requested me if we’ve acquired an apology, not if I worry sanctions. Right here, the message was we can’t defend your loved ones, and we can’t permit them to flee. What sanction are they speaking to me about?!”
Defender Sebastian Caceres concurred with Bielsa that he and his team-mates responded in an instinctive method.
“What occurred after the sport is one thing that anybody would have carried out,” he stated. “I went as much as test that my household was OK, and I attempted to take a team-mate with me in order that it wouldn’t proceed.”