MIAMI. Following the chaotic entry of thousands of fans into the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami-Dade County, which delayed the final match between the Colombian and Argentine teams by an hour, the mayor of the county, Daniella Levine Cava, said she was outraged.
“We are outraged by the unprecedented events that occurred tonight during the Copa America final,” the mayor said on Sunday night, July 14, in a press release also signed by the county’s public safety chief, James Reyes.
“The Copa America is hosted by CONMEBOL, and the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is providing security support alongside other law enforcement agencies. Tonight, MDPD assigned over 550 officers to the stadium, including our Priority Response Team, and is utilizing every resource possible to continue to ensure a safe experience for all attendees. Additionally, MDPD brought in additional personnel from other jurisdictions to support security and ensure the well-being of all.”
From early in the morning, both fan bases were dancing and singing outside the stadium, where 65,000 spectators would gather to watch the final.
As soon as the gates of the venue opened, chaos ensued. Thousands of ticketless fans tried to get in, blocking the way for those who had come with their tickets. The few police officers present tried to control the crowd that was pushing to get in, climbing over the gates and up the walls, completely out of control.
Some of those left outside claimed to have paid $1,000 for a ticket to the final, while others shouted that they were going to get in even though they did not have the appropriate ticket.
“This situation should never have happened and cannot happen again. We will work with stadium leaders to ensure a full review of tonight’s events is conducted immediately, to assess the full chain of events and implement the necessary protocols and policies for future games,” said the mayor, who is campaigning for re-election.
The Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, has hosted important events such as the Super Bowl final with complete normality.
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