Two YouTubers were sentenced to five years in prison for infiltrating security at the World Cup match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami, according to police.
Beni Marmol, 20, and Pato Perrotta, 26, both from Argentina and popular online personalities, were part of a group of 16 people arrested at Hard Rock Stadium during the Group K final match on Saturday.
The two allegedly managed to get past three security layers using expired identification, as stated by the Miami-Dade Sheriff.
In a conversation with the police, Marmol claimed to be an influencer attempting to stream the games. Meanwhile, Perrotta mentioned that he was working for a media company to investigate the event, although he noted that this was his role at a previous event.
They both face felony charges for unlawfully interfering with a sporting event, which could lead to a five-year prison sentence if convicted.
Their manager, Walter Costavel, assured Argentine media that “they are fine” and that “they are not being deported.” He added that they must stay away from the stadium during World Cup matches.
The duo’s content generally focuses on themes ranging from luxury shopping to challenges lasting a full day. Perrotta has over 500,000 subscribers, while Marmol has around 270,000.
Authorities in Florida have tightened regulations concerning unauthorized attendance at sporting events, especially with the upcoming 2024 Copa America final, which recently led to 27 arrests and 55 ejections.
Now, entering a ticketed event with over 5,000 attendees without permission is classified as a third-degree felony.
The match itself drew 64,478 fans, amidst more than 5 million ticket requests, leading to a complete sellout. Notably, 17 police officers were ejected from the venue during the game.
Even though the match ended in a 0-0 draw, many fans paid hefty sums—often over $1,000—to catch a glimpse of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who might be playing his last international game.
However, demand for tickets was incredibly high, with the cheapest options earlier in the day swirling around $3,500. Prices on StubHub ranged widely, from $2,676 to $22,084.
Colombia’s performance allowed them to top Group K, and while the match may not have lived up to some expectations, it set the stage for upcoming matches. Portugal is slated to compete against Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday, and Colombia will face Ghana in Kansas City on Friday.
