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Video shows Copa América fans allegedly climbing into Hard Rock Stadium through air ducts

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•07/14/24•

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Copa America fans
Jul 14, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; fans rush the gates before the Copa America Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer fans seem to be doing everything they can to get into the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia. A video shows fans allegedly climbing into Hard Rock Stadium through air ducts. This comes as Hard Rock Stadium announced the match has been delayed due to fans storming their way into the stadium.

In another video, fans were seen breaking into the suite level of Hard Rock Stadium, which led to stadium personnel opening the gates due to safety concerns. Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami-Dade County Police Department issued press releases addressing the situation.

“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.”

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

Hard Rock Stadium also 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 down the gates in order to control the entry process at a much slower rate and ensure everyone is kept safe.”

More on Copa América fans storming the stadium in Miami

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister‘s mother Silvina said on social media she needed her son’s assistance to enter the stadium. “Alexis had to leave the locker room to help us get in because he was worried. I thought [the game] couldn’t continue,” she said in a social media post (per ESPN).

“I thought the game wouldn’t be played because if the players thought they would resolve this, impossible that it would be played. It was inhumane. We are okay.

“We were in communication with Alexis the whole time, but he said he would stay outside until we would come in. he waited for us until we came in. We hugged him once inside, left him to be calm and told him to win.”

The 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Columbia kicked off at 9:22 p.m. ET after being delayed for nearly an hour and a half. Argentina is looking to win the tournament for the 16th time, while Colombia is seeking its second Copa América title.

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this story.