Copa America final: Chaos at Hard Rock Stadium leaves 27 arrested and 55 expelled

MIAMI. – The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium was marred by chaos and violence, resulting in 27 arrests and 55 expulsions, Miami-Dade police reported.

On Sunday evening, hours before kick-off, a crowd of fans unleashed a seemingly out-of-control scene. Behaving in a disorderly manner, they jumped over security railings, ran towards officials and stadium staff, creating scenes of panic and confusion.

Some attendees even clashed with police in an attempt to gain access to restricted areas of the venue.

Arrests and charges

Among those arrested is Ramón Jesurún, 71, president of the Colombian Football Federation, who was arrested along with his son for assaulting several security guards at the stadium.

According to Local 10, other arrests include:

  • Luis Jefferson Beltrán Martínez (36 years old): Accused of assaulting a police officer and trying to distract him while another fan was being detained. He also faces charges of trespassing at a sporting event.
  • Elkin Alberto Mayorga (35 years old): Accused of jumping the turnstiles, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, invading the sporting event and being in a state of public intoxication.
  • Fernando Augusto Pérez (56 years old): Charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, after the latter tried to detain him for trying to enter the stadium without authorization.

It should be noted that Beltrán Martínez and Mayorga were also detained on immigration warrants.

Damages and consequences

Images from the stadium showed a scene of destruction and vandalism. Escalator railings were smashed, shoes, soft drink cans, glasses and clothes were left behind.

The railings at the checkpoint at the southwest entrance to the stadium were bent under the pressure of the crowd.

Miami-Dade police deployed more than 800 officers to control the situation, but the scale of the incidents showed an apparent lack of control over security at the sporting event.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the events to determine the causes of the violence and to identify those responsible for the chaos.

The Copa America final, an event that should have been a moment of celebration for football fans, turned into a night of violence and chaos.