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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Hard Rock Stadium in Miami hosted summit clash</li><li>Fans climbed fences to gain entry without tickets</li><li>CONMEBOL shifted blame onto stadium authorities</li></ul>

CONMEBOL blames Hard Rock Stadium authorities for Copa America final chaos as 'violence caused by malicious people' overshadows Lionel Messi & Argentina's victory

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Colombia

Ecuador

Argentina

Peru

The much-anticipated continental final, where Lionel Messi and Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia to defend their crown successfully, saw thousands of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-shocking-footage-women-children-screaming-crying-stampede-trouble-ticket-less-fans-copa-america-final-argentina-colombia/blt1269c9c6484ea068#cs3b78071c86adc9c8" target="_blank">fans without tickets attempting to force their way into the stadium</a>. This influx overwhelmed the entry points, causing significant chaos and a delay to the start of the match. The kick-off was initially postponed by half an hour and then further delayed by 15 minutes, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fans-storm-past-gates-hard-rock-stadium-miami-copa-america-final-police/blt610f52cb4425a3dc" target="_blank">ultimately starting 82 minutes late.</a>

WHAT HAPPENED?

Social media was flooded with videos showing fans breaching security barriers near the southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens. Fans could be seen jumping over railings and bypassing police and stadium staff. The lacking numbers of security personnel and the overwhelmed ticket scanning systems were evident. In some extreme cases, fans were captured on video climbing fences and even crawling through vents to gain entry.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In a strongly worded statement, CONMEBOL expressed regret over the events that transpired, and said that the security operation was managed by Hard Rock Stadium authorities as per contractual obligations, with recommended procedures for such large-scale events not implemented.The statement read: "As is known, in the final played in Miami, fans without tickets went to the vicinity of the stadium, which delayed the normal access of the people who did have them, which slowed down entry and led to the closure of doors. Given this situation, CONMEBOL was subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, in accordance with the contractual responsibilities established for the security operation.“In addition to the provisions determined in said contract, CONMEBOL recommended to said authorities the procedures tested in events of this magnitude, which were NOT taken into account. We regret that the acts of violence caused by malicious people have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great sporting celebration.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Comunicado CONMEBOL: Final de la CONMEBOL <a href="https://twitter.com/CopaAmerica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Copaamerica</a> 2024™— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CONMEBOL/status/1812956809680068827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT CONMEBOL SAID

This incident is just one of several organizational and security problems that plagued the Copa America tournament. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa openly criticized tournament organisers <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/darwin-nunez-heated-scuffle-uruguay-players-colombia-fans-copa-america/bltcec3a11a0bab05ae#cs99d6bc5892b33887" target="_blank">following a violent clash between his players and Colombian fans</a>. Canada boss Jesse Marsch also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that his team felt they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jesse-marsch-usmnt-copa-america-canada-quarter-final/blt041059bba2b579ea" target="_blank">were treated as second-class participants</a> in the tournament.

DID YOU KNOW?

The issues at the Copa America final cast a shadow over the reputation of the Hard Rock Stadium,<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/conmebol-made-a-mess-of-copa-america-marring-the-summer-soccer-in-the-u-s-two-years-ahead-of-the-world-cup/bltb1b3775b21505005" target="_blank"> which is slated to host seven World Cup games in 2026</a>. The stadium and local authorities will need to address these concerns to ensure that similar problems do not arise during the World Cup, which will attract even larger crowds and greater scrutiny.

WHAT NEXT?

CONMEBOL blames Hard Rock Stadium authorities for Copa America final chaos as 'violence caused by malicious people' overshadows Lionel Messi & Argentina's victory | Goal.com

CONMEBOL has blamed Hard Rock Stadium authorities for the &quot;violence caused by malicious people&quot; at the 2024 Copa America final.

CONMEBOL blames Hard Rock Stadium authorities for Copa America final chaos as &apos;violence caused by malicious people&apos; overshadows Lionel Messi &amp; Argentina&apos;s victory