CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Queen City is making headlines around the world after players from the Uruguayan national team were involved in a brawl with fans following Wednesday’s Copa America semifinal.

Within moments of the match’s final whistle, players climbed into the stands at Bank of America Stadium with video showing them fighting with Colombia fans, throwing drinks and punches.

Security officers moved to break up the brawl, which took more than 10 minutes to get under control.

CONMEBOL, the governing entity of the Copa America tournament, released a statement after the game saying that it strongly condemns any act of violence that affects the game.

It is unclear whether any of the players involved in the scrum with fans will be disciplined.

Once the fight was brought under control, fans were in the streets of Uptown for hours celebrating Colombia’s win. Meanwhile inside the stadium, crews got to work getting ready for Saturday’s third-place match between Uruguay and Canada.

Many fans who did not go to the match packed bars and restaurants to cheer on their teams, which thousands watching within a few blocks of the stadium.

With the soccer world focused on Charlotte, City Councilmember Malcolm Graham said events like Copa America bring lots of benefit to the local economy.

“It’s very exciting to be here in Charlotte and really to now know that we are on an international stage related to sports,” he said. “Hotels are filled. Restaurants are filled. The bars are filled. Obviously we are expecting a huge economic impact.”

Saturday’s match is set to begin at 8 p.m. The Copa America final, which pits Lionel Messi and Argentina against Colombia, is scheduled for Sunday night. That will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Related: Charlotte on international stage as COPA draws fans, recognition

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