Copa America final delayed, Hard Rock Stadium on lockdown due to unruly fans
The start of the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia has been delayed due to a large number of people being unable to enter the stadium due to security reasons.
The start time for the game has been delayed indefinitely. Kickoff was initially expected to be delayed by 30 minutes, to 8:30 p.m. ET, but stadium officials later amended to indicate no start time has been set at this point.
The Miami-Dade Police Department put out a statement on social media addressing the situation on Sunday evening.
“We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the COPA America final game,” a statement 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.”
Videos on social media showed fans breaking through gates outside the stadium, with security tackling and apprehending some of the fans. That was one of the reasons for the delay.
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ESPN also reports that crowding around several of the gates has presented a security issue and caused some delays.
Hard Rock Stadium also issued a press release about the issue.
“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 down the gates in order to control the entry process at a much slower rate and ensure everyone is kept safe.”
The Copa America final will determine a champion for the event that has lasted most of the last month in the United States. Argentina and Colombia both advanced after dominant performances in the group stages.
Both teams survived a close call in the knockout stages, with Argentina outlasting Ecuador in penalties in the quarterfinals and Columbia advancing with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay in the semifinals.
There was also drama after that semifinal contest in the Copa America, with Uruguay players entering the stands and scrapping with fans in that contest in Charlotte, N.C.