Chaos and horror engulfed the Copa América final moments before kickoff in Miami, where a large number of fans were trapped and crushed outside Hard Rock Stadium gates as security struggled to control the crowd for Sunday’s match between Argentina and Colombia.
In the hour leading up to the scheduled 8 p.m. start, all stadium gates were shut, with organizers announcing a delay until at least 8:30. The game eventually got underway at 9:22.
During this time, fans endured distressing conditions. Children were in tears, several people reportedly fainted, and some men were injured in altercations with the police. As security prevented fans from entering, a barrier collapsed under the pressure, causing panic among kids and parents.
Around 8:15, as the situation worsened, gates were opened, and fans were allowed in without their tickets being scanned, seemingly the only solution available. A spokesperson for Hard Rock Stadium stated that the decision to open the gates temporarily was made to prevent stampedes and injuries at the perimeter.
However, many ticket holders were left outside as gates closed again, unable to enter the overcrowded venue. This resulted in ticketless fans gaining access to witness Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia.
The chaos started when some fans without tickets breached at least one main entry gate. The spokesperson mentioned that unruly fans made multiple attempts to overpower security and law enforcement personnel at entry points throughout the day.
At one point, fans were seen trying to climb through vents to enter the stadium, while others, including journalists, were asked to stop filming the chaos by the police.
The Copa América final saw disturbing scenes unfold, adding to the tournament’s overall disorder. Videos of the chaos spread quickly after gates opened, depicting the chaotic scenes that unfolded outside the stadium.
In a statement, the Miami-Dade Police Department mentioned that several incidents occurred before the gates were opened, leading to unruly behavior from fans attempting to access the stadium.
Despite warnings from CONMEBOL that only ticket holders would be allowed entry, many fans, including accredited personnel and journalists, faced challenges getting inside. The stadium spokesperson promised to address the concerns of those who were unable to enter due to the perimeter closure.
As the game progressed, Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Colombia after a tense and exhausting match that saw Lionel Messi visibly upset on the bench.