Copa America: Uruguay FA 'strongly condemns' clash between players and fans

The AUF did, however, claim that the reaction from Uruguay players was understandable considering rival fans' hostility.

The AUF has followed the lead of CONMEBOL by launching an investigation but stressed that has been done "without prejudice to the sanctions that may be imposed on our institution" by the disciplinary unit of South American football's governing body.

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez was one of a number of players who climbed into the seating area at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in an attempt to protect their families but that escalated into personal confrontations.

The AUF said while in America the squad had conducted themselves in an "exemplary manner" and players only went into the stands - after seeing family members become embroiled in disturbances - "to intercede for their protection and defence" as it claims there were not sufficient security mechanisms in place.

"We must clarify that throughout the match that sector was hostile to the fans who were located next to it," said an AUF statement, which claimed a number of people in the Uruguay section had to be treated by the team's medical staff.

"In this context, there were regrettable exchanges of aggression that we strongly condemn and that will be the subject of analysis on our part without prejudice to the sanctions that may be imposed on our institution based on the open files.

"Unfortunately, the events described, which violated the healthy concept of family in a context of lack of protection, generated an unjustified but humanly-understandable reaction." 

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