The chaotic scenes at the Copa America final on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens culminated in the arrest of the president of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesurún Sr., and his son, Ramón Jesurún Jr. The father-son duo faces charges of battery on specified officials following their alleged altercation with security personnel, amidst a night marred by disturbances and security breaches.
The incident unfolded after Argentina triumphed over Colombia, sparking unruly behavior from fans attempting to storm the stadium. The elder Jesurún, aged 71, and his 43-year-old son were accused of attacking security guards in an effort to access a restricted tunnel area. Jesurún Jr. faces an additional charge of misdemeanor battery.
"It was totally unfair," Jesurún Jr. expressed to reporters upon his release from jail on Monday night. "We're humans, and anything can happen, but they started it first. It was ridiculous; we had the credentials, the official credentials, so it was ridiculous."
According to police reports, the Jesurúns were part of a group that became irate and aggressive when security officers temporarily blocked their tunnel access while media personnel were gathering in the next section. Jesurún Sr. allegedly pushed a security officer, while Jesurún Jr. was accused of grabbing the officer by the neck, pulling him to the ground, and then punching and kicking him. Additional security had to intervene to restrain the pair.
The fracas with the Jesurúns was just one of many incidents that night. Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections in connection with the match. The stadium, which hosted the highly anticipated final, saw a significant number of ticketless fans attempting to force their way in, creating chaos and security breaches. Over 800 law enforcement officers from various local agencies were deployed to manage the situation.
Video footage circulated on social media showed fans jumping fences and overpowering security personnel. The disruptions prompted officials to lock down entrances and delay the match's kickoff. In the aftermath, a thorough review of safety and security protocols was called for, especially with Hard Rock Stadium set to host several matches in the 2026 World Cup.
Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels emphasized the need for this review. "As part of the full analysis of last night's game, we will review protocols set in place to ensure an orderly, safe, and secure environment for all future events," she said. Daniels also commended the officers for their response to the volatile situation.
Despite the heavy security presence, incidents continued throughout the evening. Fans reportedly fought with police officers, broke down walls and barricades, and vandalized the stadium, causing significant property damage. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed her outrage, stating that the events should never have taken place and emphasized the need for stringent protocols moving forward.
In response to the events, Hard Rock Stadium released a statement acknowledging the various security incidents and the measures taken to address them. "Preparations included an increase in the number of law enforcement officers and security on hand, with more than double the personnel than a typical at-capacity stadium event," a stadium spokesperson said.
CONMEBOL, the South American soccer federation, also issued a statement lamenting the disruptions caused by "malicious individuals" and highlighted their efforts to recommend proven procedures for events of this magnitude, which they claimed were not implemented by the stadium authorities.
