The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was marred by chaotic crowd control issues on Sunday, leading to the arrest of 27 people, including Colombian football federation president Ramon Jesurun and his son.
Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin confirmed that Ramon Jesurun and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were detained after the event at Hard Rock Stadium. Both men face three counts of felony battery on an official, accused of engaging in altercations with multiple stadium security guards.
According to arrest records, the Jesuruns attempted to access the field through a tunnel where media was gathering after the match. Upon being stopped by security, the police report alleges that they became agitated. A verbal altercation escalated into a physical confrontation, with a guard placing an open palm on Ramon Jamil Jesurun’s chest to guide him back. The younger Jesurun then reportedly grabbed the guard by the neck, pulling him to the ground and delivering two punches.
The incident occurred hours before the scheduled kickoff, with fans overwhelming security measures and pushing their way into the stadium. They jumped over railings, ran past police officers and stadium attendants, creating a chaotic scene. Many appeared hysterical while searching for companions.
Video footage and social media posts documented the aftermath, showcasing shattered escalator railings, scattered debris, and bent security checkpoints.
Hard Rock Stadium, which will host matches in the 2026 World Cup, issued a statement acknowledging the shared responsibility for security with CONCACAF, local police, and tournament organizers. The stadium confirmed the deployment of over double the usual security personnel. Despite these measures, chaos ensued, resulting in 55 ejections in addition to the arrests.
CONMEBOL, the South American football governing body, expressed regret for the incident and acknowledged that countless fans entered without tickets, tarnishing the event. The organization placed responsibility on Hard Rock Stadium authorities for security decisions, citing a failure to implement proven measures for events of this magnitude.
Crowd control expert Steve Adelman criticized the organizers for failing to anticipate the passionate nature of the crowd, drawing comparisons to the 2021 European Championship final in London, where ticketless England fans overwhelmed security. Adelman emphasized the importance of planning for the expected crowd, not an idealized one.
The incident raises concerns about security protocols for future events, particularly the 2026 World Cup, where Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches. FIFA, the international football governing body, has yet to comment on the events.
