July 15th 2024.
As the highly anticipated Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was about to begin at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, chaos erupted outside the gates. Ticketless fans were desperate to get in and were resorting to extreme measures, such as climbing through air vents, to gain access to the stadium. The situation was so out of control that the kick off had to be delayed by an hour and 22 minutes.
The scenes outside the stadium were chaotic, with hundreds of supporters pushing past police and security in an attempt to reach the concourse area. Once inside, some fans were seen climbing over fences and even into the air ventilation system to avoid further ticket checks. Sadly, this unruly behavior caused those who did have tickets to be trapped in a confined area by police and security.
One photographer captured a heartbreaking image of two young boys caught up in the stampede at the entrance gates, along with adults. Cecilia Cabarelli, an Argentina fan at the stadium, expressed her frustration, stating that the fans were being treated like animals and there was a complete lack of organization. She also mentioned that many people were fainting and passing out due to the overwhelming crowd.
Another Argentina fan, Juan, described the situation as a disaster, revealing that they had to wait for more than four hours to enter the stadium and that there were people fainting and crying, including elderly and children. It was almost 9PM when people were seen jumping over fences to get inside, leading some to believe that the Copa America final should be canceled.
In a statement, the Miami Dade Police addressed the incidents, stating that they were a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium. They urged everyone to be patient and follow the rules set by the officers, warning that any unruly behavior would result in ejection or arrest. They also emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards such conduct.
The chaos outside the Hard Rock Stadium was captured on social media, with many expressing their disbelief at the situation. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister left the Argentina dressing room before the match to ensure the safety of his family, including his mother and girlfriend. Ailen Cova, Mac Allister's girlfriend, was seen using an inhaler after the crowd disorder.
Mac Allister's mother, Silvina Riela, spoke about her son's actions, stating that he left the dressing room to help his family enter the stadium. She described the situation as inhumane and revealed that her son was constantly checking up on them. She also mentioned that they hugged each other when they finally met and then let him go play and win the game.
Some fans were left furious with the tournament organizers, especially with America set to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. An Argentina fan named Claudio from Mendoza criticized their ability to organize such a big event, stating that it was impossible. He also highlighted the struggles of fans stuck against the gate for hours without water, including a senior citizen. The frustration and disappointment towards the organizers was palpable among those who were caught up in the chaos at the Copa America final.
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