Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez will miss Uruguay’s World Cup qualifiers next month after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his appeal against a five-game ban
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has been dealt a blow as the Court of Arbitration for Sport turned down his plea to overturn a ban from an on-pitch scuffle he was part of while playing for Uruguay. The 25-year-old now faces missing out on pivotal World Cup qualifiers for his nation next month, while there remains doubt over his long-term prospects at Anfield.
Nunez found himself among five Uruguayans initially handed suspensions after they tangled with supporters following their Copa America semi-final loss to Reds team-mate Luis Diaz’s Colombia in July last year. Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was among that number, and received a four-game ban.
The players, along with the Uruguay Football Association, contested the sanctions at CAS, insisting self-defence was at play as they tried to protect their families post-match at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in the US, which saw Uruguay defeated 1-0. However, on Tuesday, CAS made it clear that their appeal had been rejected.
This verdict leaves Nunez, who was caught on camera throwing a chair in the melee, to complete his original five-game ban, having already missed two competitive internationals for his country in September, as per the Liverpool Echo.
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“The panel found that in this case, the principle of self-defence does not apply and that the conduct of the players constituted a voluntary, violent and unjustified action,” CAS noted.
This sanction rules Nunez out of Uruguay’s upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures, both away to Paraguay and at home versus Venezuela, as well as the encounter with Peru come September.
With just four matches left, Uruguay are well-placed to secure a spot in next summer’s World Cup in the US. They currently sit third in the 10-team South American division, with the top six nations automatically advancing.
Nunez has had a challenging season with Liverpool, netting a mere seven goals in 45 appearances and making only one Premier League start since Boxing Day for the newly crowned champions.
Liverpool turned down an offer from the Saudi Pro League for the striker in January, but they are prepared for renewed interest from the Middle East when the transfer window opens on 1 June.
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