Colombia-Uruguay has left us with images of the red and white Jose Maria Gimenez and Darwin Nunez jumping into the stands to confront Colombian fans. A reaction that, according to subsequent statements, was due to an attempt to defend his relatives from threats from Colombian fans. Something that the red-and-white Giménez made clear in the face of harsh words against the organization of the tournament.
We will now see what disciplinary consequences there are for those involved, starting with the red-and-white player. To do this, we must refer to the Disciplinary Code of CONMEBOL, the tournament’s organizing association. In the general principles of conduct, it makes clear that they may be sanctioned for “behaving in an offensive, insulting manner or making defamatory statements of any kind.” And this implies “violating the minimum guidelines of what is to be considered acceptable behavior in the field of sport and organized football” or “insulting in any way and by any means CONMEBOL, its authorities, officials, etc..” In addition, in another point it literally speaks of “committing an act of violence or aggression.”
We will see the disciplinary consequences, but the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code itself includes the “suspension of at least one match in the competition or for a period of time for committing the following infractions…”. And among them it includes first “insulting, offending or threatening players or other people present at the match, provided that they do not constitute more serious offenses” or “unsportsmanlike conduct towards players, officials, rivals or other people who are not match officials, uttering terms or expressions that attack their dignity, or using gestures contrary to good sporting order” and especially the following point where it speaks literally of “provoking spectators”.
The red-and-white Darwin Núñez can also be sanctioned “two matches in the competition or for a specific period of time for violent conduct towards players, or any other person present at the match, except its officials.”
Read also
These two sanctions would be the lightest, because the regulations also include a punishment of “at least five matches in the competition or for a specific period of time for an aggression or contempt that is considered serious by the Judicial Bodies”. For all those infractions that are considered serious by the Judicial Bodies, the suspension sanction in question may be extended indistinctly to different categories of competitions. And it may also be accompanied by a financial fine.
The worst scenario for Giménez
However, the disciplinary regulations also state that when “a player or official who, on the occasion of a match or competition, publicly incites hatred or violence will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Article 6.2.”
Article which includes the following sanctions: Suspension for a specific number of matches or for a period of time; Prohibition of access to the changing rooms or from occupying a place on the substitution bench; Prohibition of access to stadiums; Suspension from exercising one or any function related to football for a specific number of matches or for a specific period of time; Prohibition from exercising activities related to football; Cancellation of a license, qualification, accreditation or permit; Expulsion from an ongoing competition and/or exclusion from future competitions.”
