DARWIN NUNEZ jumped into the crowd to protect his family from “drunken” Copa America fans.

The Liverpool striker later attempted to hurl a folding CHAIR at the louts.

9There was fan trouble after the Copa America semi-final between Uruguay and ColombiaCredit: GETTY9The unfortunate incident reportedly kicked off due to drunk Colombia fansCredit: GETTY9Liverpool and Uruguay hitman Darwin Nunes waded into the crowd to protect his familyCredit: GETTY9A fired-up and emotional Nunez was joined by team-mate Ronald AraujoCredit: GETTY

Ugly scenes erupted in the stands following Uruguay’s semi-final loss to Colombia early Thursday morning.

The Uruguayans were eliminated from the tournament after a 1-0 loss in Charlotte, North Carolina.

However, their immediate concern following the final whistle was the safety of their family members, who were besieged by “avalanches” of “boozed-up” Colombia supporters.

Nunez and a few of his teammates dove into the throng to protect their loved ones as beverages and other missiles were thrown.

Security eventually interfered, separating Nunez, Jose Gimenez, and Ronald Araujo from the opposing crowd.

The footage also shows Nunes, who was enraged, attempting to THROW A CHAIR AT COLOMBIAN FANS.

Nunez sprinted at high speeds, attempting to throw the folding chair onto Colombia supporters, but was stopped by a security guard.

The Kop star was then encircled by his teammates and dragged away from the disturbing scenes.

9Darwin Nunez was seen embracing his young daughter after the unsavoury scenesCredit: X9However, the attacker attempted to throw a chair at Colombia fans moments before embracing his daughter.
According to journalist Favian Renkel, Uruguay players’ families were led out of the stadium via a separate exit to protect safety.

When the dust had settled, Liverpool’s Nunez was seen holding his small son on the pitch.

Giminez, an Atletico Madrid defender, lamented the lack of security around the players’ families in an emotional post-match interview.

He said: “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.

“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.”

Uruguay stopper Sergio Rochet defended his team-mate’s actions, saying of the incident: “This could have been avoided.

“I thought this came about from where the families of players was sitting.

“When you see your family there there.

9It’s unclear what was the catalyst for the ugly scenesCredit: EPA9The South American football federation has launched an investigation into the incidentCredit: GETTY

“We wanted to take our families out of there.”

Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa didn’t see the mass melee as he had already made his to the dressing room.

He said: “I thought that the incident ended with some argument on the midfield and when I saw that happening I went to the locker room.

“I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support.

“But then I learned that there were some problems over there, unfortunately.”

The South American football federation has condemned the ugly scenes and has vowed to launch an immediate investigation.

A CONMEBOL statement read: “Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values.