Copa America Final: Argentina Coach Scaloni Defends Uruguayan Players’ Actions, Says Family Members’ Safety Is Top Priority
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has joined the growing chorus of voices defending Uruguayan players’ actions following a heated Copa America semifinal clash between Uruguay and Colombia. The fixture, which took place on Wednesday, descended into chaos when Uruguayan players, including Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, clashed with Colombian fans in an effort to protect their family members in the stands.
Scaloni emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of family members, citing a recent experience during a match between Brazil and Argentina in November when crowd trouble caused delays. "When we saw family members involved, we had to rush into the locker room," he recalled. "We cannot be thinking about what happens if one side celebrates. We must learn once and for all."
The manager echoed the sentiments of Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa, who pointed to a lack of security in the stands as a contributing factor. "If you see what happened happen, and there’s [no other process to escape] and they are attacking their girlfriends, their mothers, a baby, their wives, their mothers — what would you do?" Bielsa argued.
Scaloni also cautioned that family members should not be held accountable for the actions of a few hot-headed fans. "The family is not to blame," he emphasized. "The players are protagonists and we ask them to be examples, but when those things happen, I don’t think anyone would’ve reacted any other way. It’s natural."
The manager’s comments have sparked controversy, with some critics accusing Scaloni of downplaying the significance of the incident. However, Uruguay players’ actions have been widely endorsed by fans and fellow players, including Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. "It’s bad to see, it’s not something I’d encourage my teammates to do, but when you see your kids and wives at risk, it’s a normal reaction," he said. "What happened with Darwin and [Mathias] Olivera is normal. It’s sad and I totally agree with them. I support the players of Uruguay."
While tensions between the two teams have inevitably spilled over into the media, Martínez believes that the incidents will not overshadow the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday. "We have to reinforce security, and live things better between fans… win or lose, we should celebrate that both teams are in a final," he urged.
As the two nations prepare to face off in the championship, questions surround the form of Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez, who has notched six assists in the tournament to date. However, Argentina’s coach remains focused on the team rather than individual players. "He’s a great player, it’s a pleasure to watch him," Scaloni said. "For football, it’s great. But for us, we haven’t focused on one player, but on the collective. Colombia is a good team, and we will defend the team. We will try as a team to stop them, and be owners of the game."
With all eyes on the final, fans, players, and coaches alike will hope for a smoother, more respectful contest free from controversy. As ever, only time will tell whether Sunday’s match will live up to expectations.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates