MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Fans without tickets to Sunday’s Copa America final climbed barriers and ran past security more than an hour before the Argentina-Colombia match at Hard Rock Stadium, forcing the postponement of the match’s 9:15 p.m. ET kickoff.
A stadium spokesperson released a statement shortly after 2 a.m. ET Monday saying that stadium officials, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and law enforcement decided to open the stadium gates to all fans to prevent stampedes and serious injuries. The gates were closed after the risk of fans being crushed was mitigated, but the stadium was at capacity and the gates were not reopened.
“We understand that there are disappointed ticket holders who were unable to enter the stadium after the perimeter closure, and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address these individual concerns,” the statement said. “Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff, and this will always remain our priority.”
At least 10 to 15 people were arrested, a law enforcement official said. Other fans who tried to enter improperly were escorted out of the stadium but were not arrested.
At least seven people were seen by USA TODAY Sports being treated by Miami-Dade firefighters near the stadium’s entrance ramps. The people appeared distressed, their faces red, and were given bottles of water as they sat on the ground and along a low wall.
Adding to the tension, fans of both teams were warm outside in bright sunshine and heat that exceeded 32 degrees in the stadium as they waited at the gate. To cope with the heat, an awning was deployed outside the gate to provide shade. Thick clouds also blocked out the sun about 40 minutes before kick-off, but the heat had already taken its toll on the eager fans.
At 8:11pm local time, the security gates were opened and fans flooded the entrances. It is unclear whether fans even had their tickets scanned at the entrance.
“In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to avoid stampedes and serious injuries on the perimeter,” a Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson said in a statement. “There were serious concerns that fans could be crushed while trying to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to ensure the safety of fans as much as possible in light of this unprecedented situation.”
“We urge fans to listen to law enforcement and security personnel throughout the evening for the safety of all attendees.”
Fans were also filmed sneaking into the stadium’s ventilation system.
Damage was also reported inside the stadium.
“We had several incidents prior to the opening of the Hard Rock Stadium gates for the Copa America final match. These incidents were the result of unruly behavior by fans trying to gain access to the stadium,” Miami-Dade police said in a statement. “We ask that everyone be patient and follow the rules set forth by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium staff.”
“We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all who attend. Any unruly behavior will result in your ejection and/or arrest. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for unruly behavior by all attendees.”
CONMEBOL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hard Rock Stadium advised fans not to attend the stadium for the game without a ticket prior to the game. Fans were not allowed to enter through one side of Hard Rock Stadium’s southwest gate, leaving fans crowded at the only available entrance through which fans slowly entered.
As fans waited outside the stadium gates, a handful of spectators were allowed in after showing proof of tickets for the match. Several people reported having difficulty breathing due to the dense crowd jostling around.
Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said his players were trying to talk to family members to see if everything was OK during the postponement. “It was chaotic. There was a certain level of anxiety,” Lorenzo said. “When you play a final, you plan the game minute by minute. Then they tell you we have to wait … It’s a complaint, but we’re not trying to use it as an excuse.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also commented on the situation after the match.
“It’s hard to explain what happened before the game,” Scaloni said. “We had players waiting for their families to come into the stadium. We had to start a game without knowing where our family members were. We were watching the videos… it was very strange.”
Maria Morales, a Colombian fan who attended the game with her three friends, said she waited outside for at least two hours before getting in. “It was scary,” Morales said. “You get to a point where you’re up against a wall (of people) and they’re pushing you and you have nowhere to go. So it’s hard to breathe. And with the heat, it’s really hot right now.”
CONMEBOL and stadium officials tried to move media covering the chaos away from the gates to make room for ticket holders.
Some fans celebrated their passage so far. Others cried after an ordeal, which will surely alert FIFA before the 2026 World Cup.
News Source : www.usatoday.com
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