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Policemen talk with fans outside the stadium prior to the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami Gardens (AP)
Fans appeared to breach the security gates at Hard Rock Stadium hours before the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.
The kick-off of Sunday’s Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami was delayed by 30 minutes amid chaotic crowd scenes outside the venue, organisers confirmed on Sunday.
Players from both Argentina and Colombia returned to the locker rooms during warm-ups on the Hard Rock Stadium pitch following the delay.
Copa America Final: Argentina vs Colombia – LIVE
Informamos que las personas que no cuentan con tickets no podrán ingresar al estadio. Solo aquellos que tengan tickets adquiridos podrán hacer el ingreso una vez que vuelvan a ser habilitados los accesos. Informamos que el partido se retrasará 30 minutos, iniciando a las 20:30…
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 14, 2024
“Please be advised that the match will be postponed for 30 minutes, starting at 8.30pm local time,” tournament organisers announced on Twitter.
Organisers appeared to suggest the delay was caused by unticketed fans attempting to enter the venue.
“Please be advised that people who do not have tickets will not be able to enter the stadium. Only those who have purchased tickets will be able to enter once access is reopened.”
The delay came after thousands of fans were kept waiting outside the ground.
Video posted on social media showed fans, mostly wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors, jumping over security railings near the Southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background.
A handful of people could be seen receiving medical treatment and asking for water in the sweltering South Florida heat. Officers were able to push the crowd behind black gates and lock down the entrance so that no one could get inside, although plenty of fans had already made it to their seats before then.
One young fan wearing an Argentina jersey was let inside the gate crying hysterically as the man who was with him and a police officer tried to comfort him.
A fan named Claudio, who traveled to the game from Mendoza in Argentina, spoke of not being able to breathe as police attempted to subdue the chaos.
Miami-Dade County’s police department issued a statement on X following the scene, mentioning that there were “several incidents” before the gates opened at the stadium.
“These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium,” the statement said. “We are asking everyone to be patient, and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all those attending. Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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