CONMEBOL blames Hard Rock Stadium for unruly fans, ugly scenes before Copa America final

CONMEBOL, the soccer federation that organized Copa America 2024, has blamed Hard Rock Stadium officials and local authorities in a pointed statement, following a series of fans without tickets breaching security measures before the tournament’s final on Sunday.

“CONMEBOL was subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, according to the contractual responsibilities established for security operations, the organization said in a statement released late Monday afternoon.

“In addition to the preparations determined in this contract, CONMEBOL recommended to these authorities the procedures proven in events of this magnitude, which were NOT taken into account.

“We regret that the acts of violence caused by malicious individuals have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great sports celebration,” the statement concluded.

Hard Rock Stadium has not yet responded to CONMEBOL’s statement.

OPINION: Ugly Copa America scenes put pressure on FIFA, US stadiums to ensure safe World Cup

The Copa America final saw 27 people arrested and 55 people ejected from Hard Rock Stadium, Miami-Dade Police Department said in a press release. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told USA TODAY Sports it responded to 120 incidents, including 116 medical-related matters during the event in and around the stadium, which is the regular home for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. 

There were no deaths after fans crowded outside the stadium gates stampeded before the match, MDPD officer Luis Sierra told USA TODAY Sports.

Still, the stampeding of fans outside the Hard Rock Stadium gates created an ugly scene before the Copa America final, which Lionel Messi and Argentina won 1-0 against Colombia.

A Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson’s statement said stadium officials, in conjunction with CONMEBOL and CONCACAF and local law enforcement, decided opening the gates to let everyone in to avoid further stampedes of fans was the best choice of action.

But the stadium was forced to close its gates for the rest of the match after the mass entrance, which meant that fans who purchased tickets for the Copa America final missed the game.

“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. Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff, and that will always remain our priority,” a Hard Rock Stadium spokesman said in a statement.

“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.”