The president of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesurún, was arrested and charged with felony battery following an altercation with security guards at the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia. The incident occurred after fans rushed past security and into the stadium without tickets, delaying the start of the match for more than an hour.
The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was marred by chaos and disruption on Sunday night. The match was delayed for more than an hour after fans rushed past security and stadium attendants without tickets and sprinted toward seats. The situation led to a stampede that displaced children from parents and injured some in the process.
In the aftermath of the match, Ramón Jesurún, the president of the Colombian Football Federation, was arrested and charged with felony battery on a specified official or employee. According to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s arrest report, Jesurún and his son, 43-year-old Ramón Jamil Jesurún, fought security guards holding people back from a tunnel where the media were gathering following the 1-0 Colombia loss to Argentina in the Copa América final.
Copa América Final Chaos: President of Colombian Football Federation Arrested After Altercation with Security
The report states that the father-son duo fought security guards holding people back from a tunnel where the media were gathering following the 1-0 Colombia loss to Argentina in the Copa América final. This occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Monday.
The arrest report states that the father-son duo fought security guards holding people back from a tunnel where the media were gathering following the 1-0 Colombia loss to Argentina in the Copa América final. This occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Monday.
Copa América Final Chaos: President of Colombian Football Federation Arrested After Altercation with Security
Police say they were "irate" and started "shouting" at a guard, who placed his hand on the younger Jesurún’s chest to "guide him back." That’s when things got physical, as the elder Jesurún allegedly stepped forward and pushed the guard.
Then, the younger Jesurún is accused of grabbing the guard’s neck and punching him, according to the report.
Copa América Final Chaos: President of Colombian Football Federation Arrested After Altercation with Security
They were expected to appear in Miami court Monday afternoon following their arrests.
The chaotic scene at the end of the match came after pure pandemonium took place beforehand, as several fans rushed past security and stadium attendants without tickets and sprinted toward seats.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Chief Public Safety Officer James Reyes criticized the situation.
"Our top priority must be the safety and security of all our residents and visitors, and we urge everyone in attendance at tonight’s game to abide by all directives from law enforcement and security personnel for the safety of all attendees," they said, adding that more than 550 officers were assigned to the stadium along with more personnel brought out of Miami-Dade Police’s jurisdiction to help.
"Let’s be clear: The situation should never have taken place and cannot happen again. We will work with stadium leadership to ensure that a full review of tonight’s events takes place immediately to evaluate the full chain of events, in order to put in place needed protocols and policies and all future games."
Not only did a stampede happen that displaced children from parents and injured some in the process, Hard Rock Stadium saw destruction as well. Videos showed fans completely destroying an escalator leading to the ’72 Club,’ while others attempted to enter the stadium through airducts.
The chaos that ensued at Hard Rock Stadium led one fan caught up in the mess to believe at least Miami isn’t prepared for the 2026 World Cup.
"They can’t organize a World Cup! It’s impossible," a fan named Claudia told The Associated Press in Spanish. "People stuck against the gate for hours, unable to breathe. There was a senior citizen, look at him, look at him (motioning at his young son), left without water. No water, nothing."
"It is tough to explain what happened before the game," Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni added through an interpreter. "We had players waiting for their family members to get into the stadium, waiting for an hour. We had to start a match without knowing where our family members were. I think the players for Colombia were going through the same thing. It was very weird."
Hard Rock Stadium issued a statement as well, noting the many ticket holders who didn’t get to experience the match despite paying thousands for seats.
"We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns," the stadium added. "Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff, and that will always remain our priority.
"We will continue to work with law enforcement to identify and hold criminals accountable who engaged in illegal conduct tonight. It is disappointing that a night of celebration was impacted by unlawful and unsafe behavior, and we will fully review the processes and protocols in place tonight and work with law enforcement to ensure such an event never happens again."
The arrest of Jesurún and the chaos that ensued at the Copa América final raises questions about security measures at Hard Rock Stadium and the readiness of Miami to host major sporting events in the future, including the 2026 World Cup.
