By Mark Baber
January 21 – Uruguay began a 10-day football ban on Friday after violence marred Wednesday’s mid-season recess game between Penarol and Nacional at the Centenario.
The football ban was announced by Football Association president Sebastian Bauza after he met Uruguay’s interim interior minister Jorge Vazquez.
Before the match, one young male fan was shot and hospitalised during clashes between supporters.
At the final whistle, Nacional players protested against the referee and police came onto the pitch to shield the official.
During the melee Nacional goalkeeper, Jorge Bava, was caught on camera hitting a policemen and Judge Alejandro Guido, who happened to be watching the match on television, immediately phoned the police station in the stadium to order the player’s arrest.
Bava spent a night in the cells before being released Thursday but may be charged with assault and is not allowed to leave the country without permission.
He is reported to have apologised whilst claiming to have lashed out after being hit by police shields and a truncheon.
Penarol was not able to play the final of the summer tournament against Argentine second division side Atletico Tucuman due to the ban.
The ban did not effect yesterday’s Uruguay-Peru under-20 fixture which was won 3-1 by Uruguay at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
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