Policemen talk with fans outside the stadium prior to the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami Gardens (AP)
Fans without tickets rushed security and tried to force their way into the Hard Rock Stadium, organizers said, leading to a chaotic scene at the future World Cup venue.
Miami-Dade County in Florida will review security protocol for the 2026 World Cup after more than two dozen fans were arrested at Sunday’s Copa America final, capping a tournament rife with discord.
Fans without tickets rushed security and tried to force their way into the Hard Rock Stadium, organizers said, leading to a chaotic scene at the future World Cup venue.
These images of fans struggling to enter the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami ahead of the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia are devastating.This is one of the host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup! A lot has to be done to ensure that they are ready in two years! pic.twitter.com/CmM4B9xC0k
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) July 14, 2024
Police initiated a lockdown and hundreds of fans were stuck outside in sweltering heat as South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL repeatedly delayed the match between Argentina and Colombia. The match finally kicked off over an hour late.
“Last night our law enforcement teams responded swiftly to handle an extremely challenging, dangerous situation,” James Reyes, the chief of public safety for Miami-Dade County, said in a statement.
“We are working with the event organizers to conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and security protocols, as we continue to prepare for the World Cup in 2026.”
Colombian federation president Ramon Jesurun and his son were among 27 people arrested. The pair were accused of fighting security personnel after the match ended.
They face three felony counts of battery, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by Reuters. The Colombian federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CONMEBOL pointed blame at the venue in a statement on Monday, saying it was “subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities.”
“CONMEBOL recommended to these authorities the procedures proven in events of this magnitude, which were NOT taken into account,” CONMEBOL said.
The venue is scheduled to host seven matches, including the bronze medal game, at the 2026 World Cup, which is organized by the sport’s global governing body, FIFA.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)
