Colombia FA president arrested after Copa America final descends into chaos

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Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesurun was arrested alongside his son after the Copa America final on Sunday night, with police making 27 detainments

Jesurun was arrested after Sunday's Copa America final in Miami(Getty Images) The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramon Jesurun, was arrested after Sunday's Copa America final, according to Miami-Dade Police records. He faces three counts of felony battery.

Jesurun and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were both detained at Hard Rock Stadium during a chaotic event that saw police make 27 arrests and eject 55 people from the venue.

The 71-year-old football official is accused of assaulting a law enforcement official or event employee on all three counts. Jesurun was arrested on Monday and ordered to pay a $1,000 bond for each of the first two charges. As of 5 p.m. ET on Monday, he remained in police custody, reports the Mirror US.

These shocking scenes unfolded before the scheduled 8 p.m. ET start of the Copa America final on Sunday. The Miami area, home to large diaspora populations from both competing teams, Argentina and Colombia, saw a huge demand for tickets, with prices starting at $1,300 on the secondary market.

This high demand led to video footage of fans jumping over stadium gates and entering the NFL stadium through vents, among other forms of illegal entry, to watch the continental final. Many ticket holders found their seats already taken by trespassers, with overwhelmed event staff often unable to assist fans.

"We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel," Miami Dade Police released in a statement Sunday. "We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all those attending.

Chaotic scenes overshadowed the game in Miami(Getty Images) "Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE behavior against unruly conduct from everyone attending."

550 MDPD law enforcement officers were present at Sunday's game, according to a statement from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Stadium footage also captured event organizers allowing fans in without checking their tickets, confirmed by Hard Rock Stadium organizers in a statement explaining a desire to avoid a dangerous stampede at the entry gates. CONMEBOL, the governing body of Copa American and South American soccer, faced severe backlash for Sunday's events, including from Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Cava.

"We are outraged by the unprecedented events at tonight's Copa America finals," Cava's statement read. "The Copa America final is organized by Conmebol and Miami-Dade Police Department provides security support along with other law enforcement agencies.....

An estimated 7,000 unticketed fans entered Sunday's Copa America final(Getty Images)

"In addition, MDPD brought in more personnel from more jurisdictions to support everyone's safety and wellbeing... Let's be clear: This situation should never have taken place and cannot happen again."

The match kicked off over an hour late due to dangerously overcrowded stands, climaxing with Lautaro Martinez scoring in extra-time, handing Argentina their second consecutive Copa America victory. Post-match, La Albiceleste players criticised the "inhumane" conditions, labelling it a "disaster" when speaking to reporters.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister even departed from the locker room ahead of time, prioritising his family's safety in the chaotic aftermath.

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Source link : https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/colombia-fa-president-arrested-copa-33251825.amp Author : Publish date : 2024-07-15 18:07:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .