CONMEBOL acknowledged security failings at Sunday’s Copa America final in Miami Gardens, Florida, but in a scathing statement on Monday laid the blame squarely on the Hard Rock Stadium.
Chaos erupted outside the stadium ahead of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final, as ticketless fans breached security and stadium officials closed the gates to stop fans from entering, creating dangerous crowds at the stadium’s surrounding entrances.
The decision was ultimately made to allow everyone in to avoid injuries, and Miami-Dade Police were seen searching the stands and removing people who did not have tickets.
“As previously known, during the Finals in Miami, fans without tickets gathered around the stadium, delaying the normal entry for ticket holders, leading to delayed entry and closed doors.” CONMEBOL said:The governing body of South American football that organized the Copa America.
“In this situation, CONMEBOL was required to comply with the decision of the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, in accordance with its contractual responsibilities regarding security activities. In addition to the preparations stipulated in this contract, CONMEBOL recommended to these authorities procedures proven in events of this magnitude, which were not taken into account. We regret that what should have been a great sporting spectacle has been tainted by violent acts committed by malicious individuals.”
Miami-Dade Police said in a statement that 27 people were arrested and 55 people were removed from the stadium in connection with the pre-game disturbances.
Hard Rock Stadium has not publicly responded to CONMEBOL’s statement but said in an earlier statement that it had worked with CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and local law enforcement to implement a security plan.
The dramatic scenes, broadcast around the world, were condemned by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava, who said she was “outraged” by what had happened.
“Let me be clear: this should never have happened and must never happen again,” she said in a statement. “We are working with stadium leadership to immediately conduct a full review of tonight’s events to evaluate the entire series of events and put in place the necessary protocols and policies for all future matches.”
It was the second major security lapse during the Copa America tournament in five days after Uruguay players, defeated in the semifinals, ran into the stands in Charlotte to protect their families from rowdy Colombian fans.
The two incidents raise questions about how prepared the United States is to host the 2026 World Cup.
Miami is one of the tournament’s 16 regional cities. Seven matches are scheduled to be held, including the third-place match..
