- According to the authorities, another 55 were evicted from the venue where Argentina was crowned champion following beating Colombia 1-0 | Photo: EFE
Miami-Dade Police arrested a total of 27 people following the chaos and disorder at Hard Rock Stadium, the venue for the Copa America final, where hundreds of people without tickets crossed the security fences at the venue.
According to the police department on Monday, July 15, following the disturbances caused by the “numerous fans” who tried to cross the stadium gates, as well as bypass the security checkpoints, 27 people were arrested and another 55 were evicted from the premises where Argentina was crowned champion following beating Colombia 1-0.
This Monday it was revealed that among those arrested were the president of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), Ramón Jesurún Franco, and his son, Ramón Jamil, for an alleged altercation that occurred in an elevator at the stadium located in the town of Miami Gardens, in southern Florida (USA).
Police said some 800 police officers were deployed to the stadium, where extensive damage was caused to the structures and injuries were sustained to staff, law enforcement officers and members of the public.
“We are working with event organizers to conduct a thorough review of all safety protocols as we continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” Miami-Dade Public Safety Director James Reyes said in the statement.
Authorities are investigating the causes
Miami-Dade authorities continue to investigate the failures that led to the chaos, violence and destruction experienced in the final of the 2024 Copa América, where many fans who bought tickets were unable to get into Sunday’s match, and others suffered shocks and fainting due to the high temperatures.
Hours before the start of the match, hundreds of people without tickets broke through security barriers, climbed over fences and jumped over the turnstiles to enter the venue, a situation that caused chaos, stampedes and forced the closure of the gates, as well as delaying the start of the match.
Videos posted on social media showed fans jumping over gates in the southwest corner of the stadium and running to avoid being hit by law enforcement officers and staff.
There were even images of fans trying to enter through the stadium’s ventilation ducts.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has made it clear that responsibility for what happened last night lies with Conmebol, the governing body for soccer in South America.
“The Copa America is organized by Conmebol and the Miami-Dade Police provide support,” explained the mayor.
Conmebol defends itself
Conmebol said on Monday that it had made security recommendations that were not taken into account by the authorities in charge of the Hard Rock Stadium in the US city of Miami, where the Copa America final was played.
“As is known, during the final in Miami, fans without tickets went to the vicinity of the stadium, which delayed normal access for those who did have them, which slowed down entry and led to the closure of the doors,” said Conmebol in a statement.
In this situation, Conmebol was subject to the decisions made by the authorities of the Hard Rock Stadium, in accordance with the contractual responsibilities established for the security operation. In addition to the provisions determined in said contract, Conmebol recommended to said authorities the procedures tested in events of this magnitude, which were not taken into account,” he added.
In this regard, Conmebol regretted that “the acts of violence caused by malicious people have tarnished a final that was set to be a great sporting event.”
With information from EFE
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2024-07-16 22:44:49
