Uruguay's national football federation (AUF) has reportedly canceled the team's chartered flight home from the World Cup as a disciplinary measure following their failure to advance to the knockout stages. Players and staff are expected to travel back to Montevideo on commercial flights.
The decision comes after Uruguay lost their final group stage match 1-0 against Spain, and with Cape Verde securing a draw against Saudi Arabia, the two-time World Cup winners finished at the bottom of Group H. This marks the second consecutive tournament where Uruguay has been eliminated in the group stage.
Amidst the disappointment, tensions reportedly surfaced. Coach Marcelo Bielsa, in his post-match press conference, took responsibility for the team's performance, stating that his contribution over his three-year tenure had been "nothing" without positive outcomes. He acknowledged the public's desire to assign blame and accepted it.
Bielsa also disclosed an unusual incident during the match against Spain: goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 40, substituted himself at halftime. Bielsa stated that the decision was not his own, but Muslera's. Muslera had been involved in an error that led to Spain's only goal.
Further compounding the team's woes, Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off the field during the match with an injury sustained while attempting a tackle. The severity of Ugarte's injury is yet to be determined and will be a concern for both the player and his club.