Copa America final descends into chaos
Miami, Hard Rock Stadium (July 16,2024) — The Copa America final between Colombia and Argentina descended into chaos on Sunday in Miami as throngs of supporters were nearly crushed outside the Hard Rock Stadium entrance before hundreds of fans forced their way through the perimeter gates.
In response, organizers decided to open all gates to avoid a potentially dangerous stampede while pushing back the 8 pm kickoff to 9:15 pm. When it was deemed safe, security resumed the normal entry procedures at all gates, according to stadium officials.
More than a dozen people have been arrested and many others were seen receiving medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, USA Today reported during Argentina’s 1-0 win. In one violent incident, a man wearing what appeared to be a reporter’s credential walked through the media entrance, only to be tackled and handcuffed by officers.
The havoc began hours before the scheduled kickoff as fans became frustrated with delays caused by an increased security presence in the intense 90-degree heat. Some attendees, including children, could be heard crying in pain as throngs of supporters crowded around the entrance. Ultimately scores of fans in yellow Colombian jerseys forced open the metal gates and ran onto the stadium grounds as Miami-Dade police tried desperately to contain the situation.
Later, spectators were seen standing in the aisles before the game as the massive crowd appeared to outnumber the available seats at Hard Rock Stadium. Univision estimated that an additional 7,000 fans were present on top of the capacity crowd of 65,000. And in one confounding scene, Colombian fans were recorded crawling through air vents to gain access to the stands.
Fans of Colombia and Argentina try to pass the gate amid massive disturbances Argentinian fans are seen crying after a traumatic scene before Sunday’s Copa final Panicked fans try to gain entry into the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami amid Sunday’s chaos Police detain a fan of Colombia during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match
Sunday’s disarray was particularly troubling given that Hard Rock Stadium is scheduled to host seven games at the 2026 World Cup.
A day earlier, organizers told fans not to travel to Hard Rock Stadium unless they had a ticket, but that warning clearly did not suffice on Sunday, when CONMEBOL officials and law enforcement expressed concerns ‘of fans being crushed’
‘In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, a decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,’ a Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson said in a statement. ‘There was serious concern of fans being crushed in order to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation.’
‘All fans without tickets MUST leave the Hard Rock Stadium premises. It is paramount to a successful and most importantly a safe match.’
