Hard Rock Stadium club area left trashed after Copa América fiasco
Fans who stormed Hard Rock Stadium during the Copa América final left a path of major destruction. A video was posted on Sunday night that showed the 72 Club of the stadium destroyed. Fans were seen breaking into the southwest gate of Hard Rock Stadium before the contest between Argentina and Colombia. Kickoff time was set at 8 p.m. ET, but the game was delayed until 9:22 p.m.
“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,” Hard Rock Stadium said in a statement.
“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.”
The gates were reopened due to people in front of the lines were getting crushed by those behind them. “In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” a Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson told reporters. There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter.”
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7,000 fans without a Copa América final ticket entered Hard Rock Stadium
According to ESPN, an estimated 7,000 people without tickets entered the stadium. Fans were crowding the aisles and walkways, leading to security personnel checking to see if they had tickets.
“We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the COPA America final game. These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium,” the Miami-Dade County Police Department said in a statement. “We are asking everyone to be patient, and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel.”
It was reported that a sellout crowd of 65,000 people were expected to attend the match. Argentina, who won the World Cup in 2022, came into the match looking to win its 16th Copa América title. Colombia last won the Copa América championship in 2001.