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Jesurún and his son posted bond and left the Miami-Dade facility after appearing in front of a judge Monday afternoon. The judge set bond at $2,000 for the president of the Colombia federation and $1,000 for his son.
Colombia lost the final 1-0 to Argentina after extra time in a game that was marred by crowd chaos in the run-up, forcing the kickoff to be delayed. Miami-Dade police reported on Monday that there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections on Sunday after people without tickets had forced their way into Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also told ESPN that it responded to a total of 120 incidents at the stadium Sunday, 116 of which were medical related.
The police report goes on to say that the altercation with the Jesurúns turned physical once the security officer asked the men to step back by placing his palm on Ramón Jamil to “guide him back.” According to the officer, the duo quickly “became irate” at a guard and began “shouting” at him.
In addition to being the Colombia Football Federation president, the 71-year-old Jesurún also serves on the FIFA Council, the “strategic and oversight body” for soccer’s global governing body.
It was a chaotic scene just hours before the scheduled 8 p.m. start of the championship match between the two South American countries: Fans forced their way in, jumped over security railings and ran past police officers and stadium attendants, with some fans appearing hysterical as they searched for the people they arrived with.
“Last night our law enforcement teams responded swiftly to handle an extremely challenging, dangerous situation posing life safety concerns for attendees,” James Reyes, the chief of public safety for Miami-Dade County, said in a statement.
“We are working with the event organizers to conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and security protocols, as we continue to prepare for the World Cup in 2026.”
Police restrain fans trying to enter Hard Rock Stadium for the Copa América final in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images
There appeared to be significant damage to the venue. Video and images posted to social media showed the shattered side railings of an escalator inside the stadium, with shoes, soda cans, reading glasses and articles of clothing left behind. Security railings at a checkpoint in the southwest entrance to the stadium were bent over as thousands of people, including crying children, pushed against them.
The department said more than 800 law enforcement officers were at the event.
Later Monday, CONMEBOL issued a statement distancing itself from the chaos ahead of the final, pointing a finger at “Hard Rock Stadium authorities,” whom it said failed to heed the soccer governing body’s advice in preparing for an event of this magnitude.
“Yesterday, the most challenging tournament in history organized by CONMEBOL together with Concacaf concluded, reaching record figures in venues, attendance, audience, and staff dedicated to its organization, with more than 42,000 collaborators,” read the statement.
“As it is already known, during the final held in Miami, fans without tickets went to the stadium’s vicinity, which delayed the normal access of people who did have tickets, slowing down the entry and leading to the closure of doors.
“In this situation, CONMEBOL was subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, according to the contractual responsibilities established for security operations.
“We regret that the acts of violence caused by malicious individuals have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great sports celebration.”
Hard Rock Stadium did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its security plans but said in an earlier statement that it had “more than double” the personnel Sunday than at a typical capacity event. The stadium has a capacity of over 65,000.
“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,” it said.
“Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff.”
ESPN writer Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report. Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was also used.
Source link : https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40569659/colombia-federation-president-arrested-copa-america-final
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Publish date : 2024-07-15 16:38:00
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