The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) is investigating the scandalous scenes in Copa América after the semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia.
"The disciplinary committee has initiated an investigation to understand the sequence of events and who among those involved are responsible for the violence that took place after the match," Conmebol writes in a statement.
Several Uruguayan players, including Liverpool's Darwin Núñez and Barcelona's Ronald Araújo, climbed up to the chaotic stands and began fighting with Colombian supporters.
"It is unacceptable that an incident like this turns passion into violence. No behavior that damages the championship and the most beautiful spectacle in the world, which belongs to the entire football family, will be tolerated," the federation writes.
According to Uruguay's captain José María Giménez, the whole thing was about the players wanting to protect their families from some aggressive opposing supporters.
Giménez also criticized the lack of police on the stands. There were only a few police officers present, and it took time before they could get the situation under control.
Argentine TyC Sports reports that no penalties will be handed out until the championship is over. Uruguay's national team coach Marcelo Bielsa will therefore have all players available for the third-place match.
The match was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The bronze match between Uruguay and Canada will also be played there.
Local newspaper Spectrum News writes that the Charlotte police have not received any reports after the tumult, but plan to have a greater presence at the bronze match.
Canada–Uruguay will be played on Sunday night, Swedish time.
