Overzealous soccer followers who got here to see the Copa América remaining between Colombia and Argentina created chaos at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday.
Fans have been seen speeding the gates close to varied safety checkpoints exterior the stadium hours earlier than kickoff. Videos posted to social media confirmed followers leaping over safety railings and working previous law enforcement officials and stadium attendance.
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The chaos pushed the beginning of the match again from 8 p.m. ET to 9:15 p.m. ET. Players from each side have been taken off the sphere as safety tried to get issues below management. They re-entered the sphere at round 8:40 p.m. ET to proceed warming up earlier than the match.
“In anticipation of tonight’s Copa América remaining, 1000’s of followers with out tickets tried to forcibly enter the stadium, placing different followers, safety and legislation enforcement officers at excessive threat,” a Hard Rock spokesperson stated in a press release. “Security has shut the gates in an effort to management the entry course of at a a lot slower price and guarantee everyone seems to be saved secure.”
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Police patrol the world as followers wait to enter the stadium previous to the Copa América remaining between Argentina and Colombia on July 14, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Hard Rock Stadium urged followers with out tickets to depart the stadium.
“It is a paramount to a profitable and most significantly a secure match,” the spokesperson added.
Miami-Dade County’s police division additionally issued a press release in regards to the incident.
“These incidents have been a results of the unruly conduct of followers making an attempt to entry the stadium,” the assertion stated. “We are asking everybody to be affected person, and abide by the foundations set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to make sure a secure atmosphere for all these attending. Unruly conduct will get you ejected and/or arrested.”
More than 65,000 followers have been anticipated to pack Hard Rock Stadium for the ultimate.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi leaves the sphere after warming up previous to the Copa América remaining towards Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., on July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The incident got here a number of days after gamers and followers fought after Colombia’s victory over Uruguay within the semifinals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
