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Copa America final delayed nearly 90 minutes after fans breach gates

A man is detenied by police outside the stadium prior to the Copa America final soccer match between Argentina and Colombia Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
A man is detenied by police outside the stadium prior to the Copa America final soccer match between Argentina and Colombia Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
UPDATED:

The final of the Copa America soccer tournament between Colombia and Argentina was delayed by more than an hour on Sunday night when fans without tickets tried to rush the gates outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Following the security breach, the start of the match was pushed back multiple times before the stadium announced kick-off was “delayed until further notice” so those with tickets could enter the stadium safely.

The incident occurred at the stadium’s southwest gate as fans, many wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors and Argentina’s blue and white colors, ran through police and security guards before being tackled or otherwise apprehended.

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The crowds were eventually pushed back.

Several people were seen receiving medical attention in the sweltering heat. It’s unclear how many were injuries or if anything was arrested.

As a result, all of the gates were locked down, further delaying ticket-holding fans.

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

“We are asking everyone to be patient, and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested.”

A sellout crowd of more than 65,000 is expected where Argentina will look to defend its tournament title. Around 9 p.m., Univision reported an estimated 7,000 extra people had gone into the stadium.

Miami-Dade Police confirmed shortly before the match began that some fans without tickets were allowed inside to avoid a crowd crush.

Following an 82-minute delay, the game kicked off at 9:22 p.m.

The incident comes days after the Colombia-Uruguay semi-final match where Uruguayan players Darwin Nunez and Ronald Araujo went into the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. to confront fans they believe where threatening their family members.

Originally Published: