Fans were seen breaching security gates at Hard Rock Stadium before the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday evening. A video posted on social media captured fans, mostly wearing Colombia’s colors, jumping over security railings near the Southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The chaotic scene showed fans running past police officers and stadium attendants, with screams heard in the background.
Some people needed medical attention and water due to the sweltering South Florida heat. Despite officers managing to push the crowd behind black gates and secure the entrance, many fans had already made their way to their seats. One young fan wearing an Argentina jersey was visibly upset and crying as he was let inside the gate with the help of a man and a police officer.
A fan named Claudio, who traveled from Mendoza, Argentina, described the chaos and feeling of being unable to breathe as police tried to control the situation. The Miami-Dade County police department released a statement addressing the incidents before the gates opened, attributing them to the unruly behavior of fans attempting to enter the stadium. They emphasized the importance of following rules and cooperating with officers and stadium personnel to ensure a safe environment for everyone attending the event.
The statement warned that unruly behavior could lead to ejection or arrest. The championship match of the South American tournament was expected to draw a sellout crowd of over 65,000 fans. It was unclear whether all fans who rushed inside had tickets for the match, as CONMEBOL had issued a statement the day before emphasizing the need for tickets to enter the venue.
Overall, the security breach at Hard Rock Stadium raised concerns about fan safety and the importance of following guidelines to prevent chaotic situations. It highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in managing large crowds during major sporting events, underscoring the need for effective security measures and crowd control strategies to ensure the well-being of all attendees.