Chaos at Copa América Final: Fans Cause Havoc at Hard Rock Stadium

Several hundred individuals created chaos at the entrance of the Hard Rock Stadium as the kickoff for the Copa América final approached in Miami on Sunday night. The start of the match between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by over an hour, with hundreds of fans stranded at the stadium entrance where the gates remained shut for an extended period.

Incidents unfolded at the Hard Rock Stadium before opening the gates for the final was met with indiscipline by fans attempting to access the venue. The Miami-Dade County police issued a statement declaring a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior.

Security personnel at the stadium mentioned that gates were initially closed due to fans forcefully entering the premises when briefly opened, without confirmation of ticket possession. Local law enforcement resorted to the use of force in many instances, causing scenes of pandemonium with stampedes and arrests.

Attendee David Fernandez, a Colombian supporter from Gainesville, Florida, recounted the scene saying, “It was crazy. People were trying by all means to enter. They forced their way in. The gates were opened thrice. It was fine for two or three minutes, then many started running.”

Subsequent to various individuals collapsing due to the crowded conditions and high temperatures, multiple rescue teams aided fans. Following these incidents, the event organizers closed the doors for 1 hour and 30 minutes, leaving thousands frustrated and bewildered at the entrances.

As frustrations mounted among the crowd, impatience led to chaos, with fan Rosy Riales expressing irritation at the inability to enter the stadium. “They should have opened the gates earlier to allow people to enter calmly,” she remarked.

Upon the eventual reopening of the entrances, the influx of fans once more descended into disorder, with inadequate ticket checks observed by AFP journalists. An Argentine supporter, Cécilia Cabarelli, likened the experience to being treated like animals, emphasizing the lack of organization to accommodate 60,000 people.

These chaotic scenes unfolded amidst heightened scrutiny on public safety for this final event following disturbances at the conclusion of the Copa América 2024 semi-final match in Charlotte.