Overview

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed appeals by five Uruguay players over bans stemming from a brawl during the 2024 Copa América semifinal.
• The players, including Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, were banned for three to five matches by CONMEBOL after clashing with fans in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• CAS ruled that the principle of self-defense did not apply, deeming the players' actions voluntary, violent, and unjustified.
• The suspensions will force the players to miss Uruguay's June World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay and Venezuela.
• Uruguay, currently third in the South American qualifying group under coach Marcelo Bielsa, remains on track for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup.