Sports court turns down appeal from Uruguay players who clashed with

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)– Sport’s highest court turned down an appeal by 5 Uruguay players versus their restrictions for clashing with fans after a Copa America semifinal in North Carolina last year, dismissing their claim that they acted in self-defense to safeguard their families.Five Uruguay players, including Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez, Barcelona protector Ronald Araújo and Atletico Madrid defender José María Giménez, were banned for in between three and 5 games by South American soccer body CONMEBOL after the brawl.Advertisement The players had clashed with fans in the stands at Bank of America Stadium

in Charlotte after a 1-0 loss to Colombia last July. Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and Napoli defender Mathías Olivera likewise were included and later banned.The Court of Arbitration for Sport stated Tuesday its judges dismissed appeals by the players and the Uruguayan soccer federation.

“The panel discovered that in this case, the principle of self-defense does not use which the conduct of the players constituted a voluntary

, violent and unjustified action, “the court stated in a statement.Núñez must now be suspended when Uruguay resumes World Cup certifying games at Paraguay on June 5 and hosts Venezuela 5 days later.Advertisement Coached by Marcelo Bielsa, the group is on track to certify

for the 2026 tournament and return to the U.S., which will co-host the competition with Canada and Mexico.Uruguay is third in the standings in the 10-team South American certifying group with four rounds left, six points ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela.The leading six in the final standings in September advance straight to the World Cup and the seventh-place team enters an intercontinental playoff in March next year. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer