The Coppa America final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by more than one hour on Sunday as thousands of fans without tickets rushed into the security and stormed into the stadium, as per organizers.
The security personnel were seen chasing the fans who ran across the premises and attempted to break the entrance gate of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. As the chaos increased both the teams were taken off the field from the security personnel.
How was the chaos created?
”In the hope of tonight’s Copa America final, a large number of fans who were without tickets tried to forcibly enter the stadium, putting the safety of fans, law enforcement officers, and security in grave danger. To ensure everyone’s safety, security shut down the gates to control the entry process,” a spokesperson from Hard Rock Stadium said.
A lockdown was implemented at the event as the police somehow managed to close the entrance which led to several people stuck outside as they were trying to barge into the stadium before the beginning of the match.
Why was the match delayed?
As per a report by Reuters, South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL has rescheduled the start of the match multiple times. Firstly, it was set to commence from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm, then it shifted to 8:45 pm, and finally, 9:15 pm time was fixed when both the teams were able to assemble for the national anthem.
The South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL posted on its official account on X, ”People who have tickets will only be allowed to enter once the gates are reopened.”
The current situation outside the stadium has not improved yet, as per a police officer quoted by FOX.
Meanwhile, CONMEBOL has stated that they have tightened the security measures for the upcoming semi-final match between Uruguay and Colombia.
(With inputs from Reuters)