BTN News: The final match of the Copa América in Miami between Argentina and Colombia was marred by chaos as thousands of fans without tickets forced their way into the Hard Rock Stadium. This massive influx of unauthorized individuals led to scenes of disorder and delayed the game, originally scheduled to start at 8:00 PM local time.
An hour before the match, problems began at the stadium entrances. Fans without tickets tried to storm the stadium, creating extreme risks for legitimate ticket holders, security personnel, and law enforcement. The Hard Rock Stadium released a statement confirming that the incident involved numerous fans attempting to force entry, leading to dangerous confrontations.
Journalists and fans captured videos showing intense scuffles at the entrances. Desperate fans clashed with security guards and were chased by police through various levels of the stadium. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced via social media that only ticket holders would be allowed in once order was restored and access points reopened. As a result, the game was delayed by 30 minutes, eventually starting at 8:30 PM local time.
Miami-Dade County police reported multiple incidents occurring even before the stadium gates opened. They attributed these events to the unruly behavior of fans trying to gain unauthorized entry and urged patience and compliance with security protocols. The police emphasized their zero-tolerance policy toward disorderly conduct, warning that such behavior could lead to ejection or arrest.
Inside the stadium, many sections of the stands were still empty as the scheduled kickoff time approached. The crowding of corridors and staircases intensified as more people entered the stadium.
Valentina, a 36-year-old Venezuelan supporting Argentina, described her frightening experience. She and her companions arrived two hours early, only to find the gates closed. As the crowd grew and tensions rose, Valentina felt scared. Eventually, the gates were opened, but the chaos continued, with fans bypassing ticket checks and overwhelming the entrance gates.
Julián, a 31-year-old Argentine living in New York, also recounted a harrowing experience. Trapped among the crowd, he experienced panic and confusion. After two hours, when the gates finally opened, the crowd surged forward with little control. It wasn’t until he reached the second level that his ticket was checked.
Media reports highlighted that many ticket-holding fans were unable to enter due to the disorder at the entrances. A Colombian fan expressed frustration on Univision, noting that despite paying thousands of dollars for tickets, they were denied entry without any explanation.
Despite Conmebol’s revised kickoff time of 8:30 PM, both teams only emerged for warm-ups around that time. The stadium eventually filled to overcapacity by 9:00 PM, indicating a significant number of ticketless fans had entered.
After an hour and ten-minute delay, the Copa América final finally commenced with the opening ceremony. The match proceeded under heightened security measures, as officials worked to manage the unprecedented situation.
This event underscores the importance of stringent security measures and effective crowd management at major sporting events to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees.
