Montevideo, Jan 19 (IANS): Uruguayan authorities enforced a 10-day nationwide football ban in a bid to stamp out violence on and off the field.

The measure began Friday after a meeting between Uruguay's Football Association (AUF) president Sebastian Bauza and the country's interim interior affairs minister Jorge Vazquez, reports Xinhua.

It followed the arrest and imprisonment of Nacional goalkeeper Jorge Bava for allegedly punching a police officer during a match against Penarol in Montevideo Wednesday.

Bava was released Thursday but faces possible assault charges and is not allowed to leave the country without permission.

A fan was also hospitalised with a gunshot wound suffered during a fight between rival supporters before the match.

"We have agreed with the interior minister that we need to take decisions and show clear signs that there are limits and those limits need to be respected," Bauza said.

"The events that occurred outside and inside the stadium should not be repeated."