MIAMI.- The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia, which promised to be a sporting spectacle, turned into chaos that delayed the start of the match by one hour and 22 minutes.
Fans, especially Colombians, according to the images that have emerged, overwhelmed the access controls at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, causing a chaos that forced Conmebol to delay the start of the match.
Videos posted on social media showed the desperation of fans, who jumped over security barriers and tried to enter the stadium running and screaming. Police and stadium staff, overwhelmed by the situation, tried to contain the avalanche of people.
According to unofficial reports, at least 7,000 people without tickets entered the stadium. It was also reported that the venue had no spaces even in the corridors and that its capacity was at 120%.
The incident has caused great concern among players from both sides, who had expressed fears for safety following a similar incident in the semi-final involving Uruguayan fans.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players from both teams called for increased security ahead of the match.
Failed measures
Conmebol, the governing body of South American football, attempted to control the situation with a statement saying that only fans with valid tickets would be allowed into the stadium.
However, the situation remained chaotic, with several fans, many with tickets, unable to access the stadium. Some even reported having difficulty breathing and needing medical attention amid the stifling heat.
Miami-Dade County police acknowledged the “unruly” behavior of fans and warned that action would be taken against those who did not respect safety rules.
Despite efforts to restore order, the stadium gates remained a point of conflict until shortly before kick-off.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Public Safety Chief James Reyes spoke out about the situation, saying the safety of the public was their priority. More than 550 officers were deployed to ensure security at the stadium, according to officials.
The match finally got underway, but the incident left a black mark on the organization of the event. Conmebol said it will have to analyze and improve security in future tournaments to prevent situations like this from happening again.
