(Miami) Officials at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Tuesday defended the security arrangements put in place for the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, which was marked by chaos at the entrance and an 82-minute delay.
“Hard Rock Stadium has safely hosted hundreds of world-class events in its 37-year history, including Super Bowls, premier international soccer games, Formula One, NFL and college football, headline music tour dates and other global events,” stadium officials said in a statement.
Ahead of the Argentina-Colombia match, crowd movements forced security to close the gates, delaying the entry of supporters and the kick-off, which was given almost an hour and a half late.
According to the organisers, the chaos was caused by the large number of fans without tickets who tried to force their way through. Fans who were suffering from the heat in the dense crowd had to be evacuated.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said that security for the match was organized “according to the decisions taken by the authorities of the Hard Rock Stadium.”
Stadium representatives said the protocol had been decided by the stadium services, CONMEBOL and local law enforcement. And that CONMEBOL’s security recommendations had been observed.
The chaos of this final, won 1-0 by Argentina, has cast doubt on the proper organisation of the next World Cup, which will take place in 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Police, with a force of 800 officers, said they arrested 27 people and ejected some from the stadium that evening.