Uruguayan authorities weigh charging Nacional fans for inciting violence

Montevideo  :  Authorities are considering filing charges against fans of Uruguayan football league club Nacional who spread messages on social media inciting violence during a match over the weekend against traditional rival Peñarol, the Interior Ministry said.

"The images spread on social media represent an outrageous instance of offensive objects being displayed in Colombes grandstand," the area inside Centenario Stadium where the Nacional's fans were located, the ministry said in a statement, reports Efe.

The objects, according to officials, "made reference to sad episodes of violence that we will not allow to be repeated, and even less to be claimed as trophies."

The offensive item was a yellow inflatable mattress with CAP (Club Atletico Penarol) and a cross on it, representing a coffin.

Investigators reviewed video from security cameras confirming the presence of the images, which went viral on social media, officials said.

Nacional management issued a statement expressing the club's "absolute and strong repudiation" of the displays.

Nacional and Peñarol played Uruguayan football's traditional rivalry match on Saturday at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium, a contest that ended in a 1-1 draw.