Organizers stated that hundreds of ticketless spectators attempted to force their way into the stadium on Sunday, delaying the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia by more than an hour.
The first delay was from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the subsequent delays were from 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Spectators in Miami Gardens, Florida, surged across the concourses and tried to breach the gates of Hard Rock Stadium, as shown in a video that has since gone viral on social media. Security officers were seen arguing with the spectators.
The two squads were removed from the field while the mayhem unfolded outside.
Numerous fans were left waiting outside the stadium when the gates were shut, and the police instituted a lockdown, preventing them from entering before the match began.
Before the sides could stand at attention for the national anthems, CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, postponed the match three times.
According to CONMEBOL’s statement on X, the organization has informed that anyone without tickets will not be admitted to the stadium.
According to ESPN, at least one gate allowed ticket holders to enter the venue in pairs.
Multiple events occurred at the stadium prior to the gates being opened, according to the Miami-Dade police.
According to a police officer, things were still not better outside the stadium.
After the semifinal match between Colombia and Uruguay, in which players from Uruguay fought with fans from Colombia following the game, CONMEBOL said that they had increased security.
Additionally, it was reported that Shakira’s halftime performance during the final will be twenty minutes long. Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia’s coach, had previously voiced his disapproval of the longer-than-normal halftime break, citing concerns that it may have an adverse effect on players’ preparedness. Players do not like to cool down too much; it makes for a slow start when the action resumes.
