 "Copa America final: Fans were forced to seek medical attention after chaos at entry gates. AP")
The start of the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia on Monday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA was delayed over 75 minutes after fans clashed with security. The latest incident raises fresh questions over the USA’s capability to host a major football tournament ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be co-hosted in the country.
Colombia’s 1-0 semi-final win over Uruguay was also marred with violent scenes as Uruguay players and Colombia fans clashed in the stands. The Uruguay players later claimed that their family members were in danger, forcing them to confront the fans.
On Monday, the fans were kept waiting outside the stadium after organisers halted entry following a clash between security and fans two hours before the kick-off. They were eventually led into the stadium but such was the rush that tickets were not checked and multiple fans needed medical attention, mainly for heat exhaustion.
The news agency AFP described the scenes from stadiums as: “Several fans receiving treatment from paramedics inside the venue and others staggering and needing help from friends before lying down on the floor.”
Some of the videos going viral from the stadium showed fans including children struggling to enter the stadium.
Miami Dade Police said in a statement there had been “several incidents” prior to the game at the venue.
“These incidents have been a result of unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium,” the statement said.
“We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers … unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested. We have a zero tolerance behavior against unruly conduct from everyone attending.”
‘Treated like animals’
Fans however took aim at the organisation of the event, with one Argentina supporter saying fans had been treated like “animals.”
“They are treating us like animals, basically there’s no organisation whatsoever, there is nothing. I mean, they didn’t prepare for 60,000 people,” Cabarelli said. “There is no preparation, people are fainting and passing out.”
Asked if the situation had felt dangerous, Cabarelli said: “100 percent. I’m still shaking. I feel like I’m a cow.”
Other fans interviewed by AFP described chaotic scenes at the entrance gates, with some fans forcing their way into the venue past security staff as frustration boiled over.
“It was crazy, people were just trying to get in like crazy,” said David Fernandez, a Colombia fan from Gainesville, Florida.
“They just didn’t want to wait. They were just rushing over and running over. They’ve opened the gates three different times – it was good for two or three minutes and then everybody was just rushing.”
Rosy Riales said fans lining up in sweltering temperatures had got increasingly frustrated at the failure to open the gates on time.
“People are just riled up and excited, so they’re pushing and it’s like mayhem,” she told AFP. “They should have opened the gates sooner to let people in slowly.”
A statement by Copa America organisers on X, formerly Twitter, appeared to suggest the chaos had been caused by unticketed fans attempting to gain entry.
“Please be advised that people who do not have tickets will not be able to enter the stadium,” the statement said.
“Only those who have purchased tickets will be able to enter once access is reopened”.
With agency inputs