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Follow the latest from the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia

The kick-off for the Copa America final was delayed after chaotic and dangerous scenes saw thousands of supporters prevented from entering Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for the game.

The showpiece match of the tournament between Argentina and Colombia saw a number of fans detained after authorities said they had attempted to gain entry without tickets before security gates across the venue were closed at around 6pm local time, approximately two hours before the originally scheduled kick off time.

Kick-off was later pushed back to 8.30pm ET.

A statement from Copa America read: “We announce 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 the stadium once the gates are reopened.”

Supporters, including young children, were left stranded outside the stadium in large numbers with the searing heat in the area only adding to the issues.

Temperatures in the Miami area where the stadium is situated reached as high as 88 degrees. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue later set up a station inside the gate to help people showing signs of heat exhaustion.

A Miami-Dade Police Department spokesperson told The Athletic there were multiple arrests for battery on a police officer, as well as multiple people for trespassing.

A statement from police later pointed to “unruly behavior” from some supporters trying to enter the arena.

“We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the Copa America final game,” it read. “These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium.

“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.

“We have a zero tolerance behavior against unruly conduct from everyone attending.”


Fans outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (Photo: The Athletic)

Pictures taken outside the stadium showed several people wearing Colombia shirts detained by police officers and security guards.

The Athletic witnessed people being removed from the queue to get into the stadium. One of those included a man with a cut to his head.

A police officer at the stadium earlier told The Athletic that gates by the southwest entrance, where VIPs and families of the players enter, were closed because of people trying to access the ground without tickets.

The Athletic has contacted tournament organizers CONMEBOL for comment.

Stadium organizers said the decision to close security gates was to “control the entry process” to “ensure everyone is kept safe”.

A statement from Hard Rock Stadium said: “In anticipation of tonight’s Copa America Final, thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, putting other fans, security and law enforcement officers at extreme risk. Security has shut the gates in order to control the entry process at a much slower rate and ensure everyone is kept safe.

“As a result, tonight’s match start time has been delayed until further notice to accommodate for ticketed fans to be able to safely enter the stadium.

“All fans without tickets MUST leave the Hard Rock Stadium premises. It is paramount to a successful and most importantly a safe match.”

The incidents in Miami come just days after the semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia saw a number of players clash with supporters following the game.

Uruguayan players, such as Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, were involved in altercations with coach Marcelo Bielsa later heavily critical or the tournament organizers.

The final of Euro 2020 saw ticketless fans gaining entry to Wembley Stadium for the game between England and Italy before the 2022 UEFA Champions League final held at the Stade de France in Paris was marred by chaos outside the ground.

Liverpool fans were trapped in bottlenecks and tear gassed by police as they struggled to enter the stadium with UEFA later reaching a settlement with those injured.

Additional reporting: Paul Tenorio, Felipe Cardenas

(Top photo: The Athletic)



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