During the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, crowd control issues erupted, leading to the arrest of 27 individuals, including Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son. The president, Ramón Jesurún, and his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun were charged with three counts of felony battery on an official after allegedly engaging in a physical altercation with stadium security guards.
Ramón Jesurún, 71, has been the president of the Colombian soccer federation since 2015 and is also a vice president of CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American soccer. The organization expressed regret over the incident where numerous fans entered the stadium without tickets, causing disruptions to the event.
Hard Rock Stadium, the venue for the 2026 World Cup matches, stated that security was a shared responsibility among stadium officials, CONCACAF, and local police. Despite having over 800 law enforcement officers present at the match, chaos ensued as fans breached security barriers and forced their way into the stadium.
Video footage and images shared on social media depicted the aftermath of the chaotic scene, with damaged railings, scattered belongings, and distressed fans. The stadium officials made the decision to open the gates to both ticketed and unticketed fans to prevent stampedes and injuries, leaving many legitimate ticket holders outside.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup matches to be held at the same venue, concerns have been raised regarding crowd control measures and the prevention of similar incidents. FIFA, the international federation overseeing the World Cup, did not immediately respond to inquiries about the situation and future precautions.
Experts in crowd control emphasized the need for event organizers to anticipate and prepare for passionate fan behavior, especially during high-stakes matches involving rival teams. Lessons from past incidents, such as the 2021 European Championship final in London, where ticketless fans caused disturbances, highlight the importance of proactive crowd management strategies.
As investigations continue into the Copa America final incident, authorities and event organizers are expected to review security protocols and enhance measures to ensure the safety and integrity of future sporting events.
