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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 8pm kickoff to 9:15pm. 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.'
Criticism of South American soccer's governing body, CONMEBOL, erupted online amid the chaos.
'Are they seriously not checking tickets?' one man wrote on X. 'Imagine paying $2,000 per ticket and then everyone who turns up at the gate is let in. Joke of an organization @CONMEBOL.'
'Multiple people from CONMEBOL need to resign after this final,' read a post by EiF Soccer. 'The fact that lives are at risk because of this is genuinely shocking.'
'Hard Rock Stadium leadership will face criticism for dangerously mismanaged crowd control, but CONMEBOL rules dictate stadium access, ignored best practices and led to long waits for both media and fans at many venues throughout the tournament,' wrote Iliana Limón Romero, the LA Times assistant managing editor.
Fox soccer analyst and former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas ripped CONMEBOL and the gate-crashing fans during the match.
'If you're a fan without a ticket and you break into the stadium you're to blame,' read Lalas' post on X. 'If you are a fan with a ticket and you break into the stadium you're to blame. If you're an organizer and the fans with tickets can't safely get into the venue you're to blame.'
As seen in this clip from @ManagerTactical, some fans accessed the stadium by AC vent
A police officer carries an unconscious fan at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Large crowds of fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior the Copa Final
Much of the problem appeared to center around the stadium's southwest gate.
Miami-Dade police told ESPN that the entrance had been breached, prompting officers to completely shut it down.
Later, in a statement, police said they will have a 'ZERO TOLERANCE' policy for any unruly behavior.
'We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the COPA America final game,' read a police statement. 'These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium. We are asking everyone to be patient, and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel.'
The situation was eerily similar to the 2020 Euro final at Wembley in 2021, when hundreds of English fans stormed the gates and were able to force their way into the stadium.
Sunday's highly anticipated final featuring Argentina's Lionel Messi was a sellout, meaning no fewer than 65,000 ticket holders and other fans were baking in the 90-degree heat for hours before kickoff. At one point, organizers rolled a canopy out over the heads of some fans who were waiting to enter.
Others who became overwhelmed by the heat were seen receiving water.
'It was crazy, people were just trying to get in like crazy,' David Fernandez, a Colombia fan from Florida, told the AFP.
'They just didn't want to wait. They were just rushing over and running over. They've opened the gates three different times -- it was good for two or three minutes and then everybody was just rushing.'
Police officers try to arrest a Colombian fan outside the stadium before Sunday's final
Many fans were overwhelmed by the crowds and required emergency medical treatment
Fans forced the front gates open before pouring onto the Hard Rock Stadium grounds
Police are seen allowing some Argentinian fans to enter as other spectators wait to get in
Fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America final
Police agents patrol as fans waiting to enter at stadium prior to the Copa America final
Hard Rock Stadium officials instructed fans without tickets to leave the grounds immediately
Another fan, Rosey Riales, told the AFP that the masses had grown impatient waiting for the gates to open.
'People are just riled up and excited, so they're pushing and it's like mayhem,' she told AFP. 'They should have opened the gates sooner to let people in slowly.'
There was supposed to be heightened security at Sunday's match following the post-game brawl that marred Colombia's semifinal win over Uruguay in Charlotte.
It was at the end of that match that several players rushed into the stands to brawl with Colombian fans, who were accused of harassing team members' families during Uruguay's 1-0 defeat.
Unfortunately, the heightened security on Sunday led to long lines and masses of people crowding the southwest gate of the stadium. People struggled to move through the crowds as only a few people were let in at a time.
Near the press entrance, a push of people led to one woman requesting medical attention. One police officer was seen drawing his baton but did not use it.
A fan of Argentina is injured amid disturbances prior to the Copa America Final
Police detain fan of Argentina prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match
Fans scan Ticketmaster tickets before the Copa Final between Argentina and Colombia
Organizers ultimately were forced to delay kickoff indefinitely as police struggled to gain control of the situation.
'In anticipation of tonight's Copa America Final, thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, putting other fans, security and law enforcement officers at extreme risk,' read a statement from stadium officials.
'Security has shut the gates in order to control the entry process at a much slower rate and ensure everyone is kept safe.
'As a result, tonight's match start time has been delayed until further notice to accommodate for ticketed fans to be able to safely enter the stadium.
'All fans without tickets MUST leave the Hard Rock Stadium premises. It is paramount to a successful and most importantly a safe match.'
