Chaos consumed the Copa América final hours before kickoff in Miami, where hundreds, perhaps thousands of fans were stuck outside Hard Rock Stadium gates as security tried, and apparently failed, to manage the inflow of spectators for Sunday’s game between Argentina and Colombia.
As of 7:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the scheduled 8 p.m. start, all stadium gates were closed. Organizers announced that kickoff had been delayed until at least 8:30.
Fans, meanwhile, were suffering. Children were reportedly crying. At least one woman reportedly fainted and was revived. At least one man was bloodied by police.
The chaos seemingly began when some reportedly un-ticketed fans — it’s not clear how many — breached at least one entry gate. They streamed toward the stadium concourse, with police and security personnel chasing after them
BREAKING: The gates at Hard Rock Stadium have been breached and scores of fans have begun streaming in for the 2024 #CopaAmerica final. Police are scrambling to try and stem the flow of people. pic.twitter.com/fkoMMYGk8K
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 14, 2024
The breach provoked a forceful police response, which seemed to exacerbate the chaos.
Authorities responded by closing the breached gate, and eventually all stadium gates with less than an hour to go until kickoff
This left many ticketed fans — including, reportedly, family members of players — unable to enter, and stuck in a mass of people, sweating in sweltering heat and South Florida humidity.
A better view from above the Southwest Gate at Hard Rock Stadium. Very concerning having that many people in that small a space. I’m told by a Miami-Dade PD officer that all gates into stadium are closed for the time being. #CopaAmerica2024 pic.twitter.com/HkWNFgcmwn
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 14, 2024
Prior to the full closure, for a brief time, they were letting fans in one by one, with a dozen officers lining the entryway.
Security was letting in fans one by one before closing the south west gate again & enforcing some sort of lock down due to the security breach.
Again, please everyone be careful. pic.twitter.com/dm7IsWP0NF
— Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) July 14, 2024
Multiple journalists on the scene said they and others were told by police to stop filming the chaos, which will raise all sorts of critical questions about the preparedness of CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation in charge of the Copa América, and local organizers in Miami.
One credentialed journalist was reportedly tackled by police outside the stadium.
Videos began to spread shortly after gates opened at 5 p.m. local time.
⚠️ ATENCIÓN
Desmanes en la entrada al estadio, MUCHAS personas buscan colarse para vivir el partido, algunos tuvieron éxito. La policía tuvo que intervenir con el uso de la fuerza.
❌ ¡ASÍ NO ES! pic.twitter.com/21TBplo2cr
— Fútbol colombiano (@Futbolfpc) July 14, 2024
Más escenas de cómo decenas de colombianos lograron colarse sin boleto a la Final de la Copa América.
Si la seguridad fue caótica en Charlotte ( 🇺🇾 vs 🇨🇴 ), en Miami no pinta mejor. pic.twitter.com/BZ9jWKrc0y
— Rafael Ramos (@RafaeIRamosV) July 14, 2024
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Hard Rock Stadium,stadium gates,police response,CHARLY TRIBALLEAU,stadium concourse,Copa America,fans,Argentina,Colombia
