Bielsa Unleashes on US and CONMEBOL: "You’re All Complicit"
In the aftermath of Uruguay’s semifinal defeat to Colombia, coach Marcelo Bielsa has come out swinging at the US and CONMEBOL over the organization of the Copa América.
Following the match, Uruguay players were involved in a series of scuffles with Colombian fans, with some even climbing into the stands to confront the opposition’s supporters. Darwin Núñez, Ronaldo Araújo, and captain José María Giménez were all embroiled in the disturbances, with Giménez claiming that the players were simply trying to defend family members.
Human Nature Takes Over
But Bielsa refused to criticize his players, arguing that they had been provoked and that their actions were "humanly understandable". When asked if there would be repercussions for the players involved, he fired back: "One has to speak thinking about all the threats he will receive if he speaks. So, the only thing I can tell you is that the players reacted the same way any human being would."
Targeting the Media and Authorities
Bielsa’s anger was not reserved for his own players alone. He launched a scathing attack on the media, accusing them of complicity in the affair. "The questions also act as a way to accomplice," he raged. "I don’t know if all of you think the same way, if the question you ask wouldn’t be made by someone else, but this is what you journalists should be saying, not what I should be saying, with the risk of opening my mouth."
The coach also turned his ire on CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, and the US authorities. He blasted the lack of security in the stands and the condition of the fields at Bank of America Stadium, where the match took place. "This is the United States, the country of security," he sneered. "What kind of football is this where you can’t even guarantee your own fans’ safety?"
A Plea for Change
Bielsa concluded his outburst by calling for a shake-up of the way the Copa América is organized. "They’ve said that the pitches are in perfect condition and all the lies they have said here," he fumed. "And they said the training facilities are perfect, but Bolivia couldn’t train… This is a plague of liars."
As Uruguay prepare to face Canada in the match for third place, the team’s coach has left little doubt that he is still seething over the events that transpired. Whether or not Bielsa’s views will prompt any meaningful change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his fiery personality has brought attention to a problem that needs to be addressed.
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