The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which Argentina eventually won 1-0, was marked by chaotic scenes this Sunday after thousands of fans, mainly Colombians, stormed several access points in an attempt to enter the venue without tickets.
A viral video showing the aftermath of an escalator gives an idea of the pitched battle that took place inside the stadium.
Since hours before the meeting, the security gates of the Hard Rock Stadium were overwhelmed by fans who tried to force their way in, causing panic and disorganization.
The match, which was supposed to start promptly at 8:00 p.m. (local time), suffered a delay of one hour and 22 minutes due to the massive influx of fans without tickets who tried to force their way into the stadium, leading to a gate closure ordered by the authorities.
That caused many people who did have tickets to be left outside when the doors closed.
Videos shared on social media showed fans, dressed mainly in the colors of Colombia, jumping over the access fences and running to avoid being detained by the police and stadium security personnel.
Some people even fainted, as revealed by images published on the internet.
In the midst of the chaos, there were those who managed to enter the stadium through the air conditioning ducts of the premises.
The screams and shoves were constant.
There were reports of people receiving medical attention due to the extreme heat, which exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in terms of thermal sensation, and the crowding at the entrances.
Among the most harrowing images was that of a baby being carried by his mother - who was dressed in the colors of the Colombian national team - in the midst of the chaos of people next to a fence.
The situation escalated to the point where Conmebol had to issue a statement indicating that "people without tickets will not be allowed to enter the stadium. Only those with purchased tickets will be able to access once the entrances are enabled again."
Despite this, many fans with tickets also encountered difficulties getting in, as the crowd crowded the entrances.
The stadium security and local police were overwhelmed, and several fans expressed the opinion that the United States is not ready to host a World Cup, something they intend to do in 2026.
The Miami-Dade County police issued a statement indicating that "these incidents have been the result of the undisciplined behavior of fans attempting to access the stadium."
They also warned that there would be "zero tolerance" for those who did not respect the rules, which could result in expulsions and arrests.
The stands, initially half-empty, filled up as the fans managed to enter. However, disorder and lack of control were evident, leading to criticism towards the organization of the event and the security provided for the Copa America final.
The mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, and the chief of Public Safety, James Reyes, also spoke out about the chaos at the Copa America final:
We are outraged by the unprecedented events in tonight's Copa America final. The Copa America final is organized by Conmebol, and the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) provides security support along with other law enforcement agencies," wrote Levine Cava.
Tonight, the MDPD assigned over 550 officers to the stadium, including our Priority Response Team, and is using all possible resources to ensure a safe experience for all attendees. Additionally, the MDPD has brought in additional personnel from other jurisdictions to support the security and well-being of everyone," he added.
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