Copa America chaos: Colombian Football Federation president arrested

Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesurun was arrested in Miami during an incident at Sunday’s Copa America final, a police report said.

The Miami-Dade County police report showed that Jesurun was arrested Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium on a charge of “assault on an officer/employee.”

Chaos ensued as spectators stormed the gates of the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, pushing people to the ground and some trying to sneak into the stadium through giant air ducts, delaying the game’s start by 80 minutes.

Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the final, thanks to an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez.

Jesurun, 71, was not allowed onto the field with his son and other family members for the awards ceremony, Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported. Jesurun’s son confronted a security guard who denied them access. Jesurun, who is also vice president of regional governing body CONMEBOL, became involved in the dispute before police officers intervened, the newspaper said.

Miami-Dade police reported that 27 people were arrested and 55 people were removed from the stadium during the game.

“I am very proud of the way our officers responded to an explosive situation and their hard work to keep our community safe, as well as our law enforcement partners who provided us with vital support,” said Police Director Stephanie Daniels.

“As part of the full analysis of last night’s match, we will be reviewing the protocols in place to ensure an orderly, safe and secure environment for all future events.”

CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, said it had proposed safety procedures to organisers that had not been implemented.

“Fans without tickets went to the vicinity of the stadium, delaying the normal access of those who did have tickets, delaying entry and forcing the doors to be closed,” CONMEBOL said.

“In this situation, CONMEBOL was subject to the decisions taken by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, through the contractual responsibilities established for the security operation.”

CONMEBOL added: “In addition to the provisions set out in the contract, CONMEBOL recommended to these authorities the procedures tested at events of this magnitude, which were not implemented. We regret that the violent acts of ill-intentioned people have tarnished a final that was ready to become a great sporting celebration.