The striker threw a series of punches at Colombian supporters after jumping into the stands at the Bank of America Stadium, team-mates followed and chaos ensued following the 'Celestes' defeat.

Uruguay centre-back José María Giménez said the players had joined the brawl out of concern for the safety of their family members and loved ones watching the game. "This is a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to go into the stands to get our loved ones out, with newborn babies," said the Atletico Madrid player.

"There wasn't a single policeman... I hope the organisers will be a bit more careful with the families. It happens at every game because there are people who don't know how to handle a few drinks," concluded the 29-year-old defender.

The vast majority of the crowd were supporting Colombia, but there was no separation between them and their Uruguayan counterparts. Towards the end of the game, a few fans in the stands started punching each other, so some players approached to try and break up the fight.

Several Uruguay players climbed into the crowd, apparently to protect the fans, with Núñez in the forefront. The brawl continued for several minutes before the police intervened.

A group of around 80-100 Uruguay supporters remained on the pitch long after the rest of the supporters had left, and the Uruguay players returned to the pitch to meet them.

Ugly scenes also erupted on the pitch after the final whistle, with players and staff from both teams involved in a mass brawl in the centre circle after Colombia's win.

Following the incidents, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), which organises the Copa America, issued a statement condemning the events. "CONMEBOL strongly condemns all acts of violence that affect football. Our work is based on the conviction that football connects and unites us through its positive values.

"There is no place for intolerance and violence on or off the pitch. We invite everyone in the remaining days to put all their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable celebration," concluded the statement from the world's most important continental football body after UEFA.

However, these events did not overshadow the magnificent performance of Colombia, who sealed a 1-0 victory through Jefferson Lerma to reach the final for the third time in their history (1975 and 2001). The 'cafeteros' only previous title came in 2001 under the guidance of renowned coach Pacho Maturana and attacking midfielder Carlos Valderrama. On that occasion, they won the Copa America on home soil without losing or drawing a single game and without conceding a single goal.

The Tricolor will take on Messi's Argentina in Miami on Sunday 14 July (early Monday morning, 2am GMT) in the final of the continental showpiece, where they will look to continue their dominance of the continental competition (a position they share with the eliminated teams, each having won 15 titles in the world's longest-running national team competition since its inauguration in 1916).