Ramón Jesurún, who is the president of the Colombian Football Federation and also serves as the vice president of CONMEBOL, found himself in a troubling situation during the Copa América final between Colombia and Argentina. The 71-year-old soccer official was arrested and is facing three felony counts of battery on a specified official or employee after allegedly getting into an altercation with security guards at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The incident also involved his son, Ramón Jamil Jesurún.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s arrest report, the father-son duo got into a physical altercation with security guards near a tunnel where the media were gathered following Colombia’s 1-0 loss to Argentina in the final. The report states that the Jesurúns were “irate” and started shouting at a guard who was trying to guide them back. The situation escalated when the elder Jesurún allegedly pushed the guard, and the younger Jesurún grabbed the guard’s neck and punched him.
The chaotic scene at the stadium didn’t end there. Before the match even started, several fans rushed past security without tickets and caused a delay of over an hour. The situation was so out of control that Miami-Dade officials criticized the lack of safety and security measures in place. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Chief Public Safety Officer James Reyes emphasized the need for better protocols and policies to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The chaos and disorder at the Copa América final not only affected the safety of attendees but also led to destruction at the Hard Rock Stadium. Videos showed fans destroying property and attempting to enter the stadium through unauthorized means. The situation was so dire that some fans questioned Miami’s ability to host the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the mayhem, both Argentina and Colombia’s teams were affected by the disorganization. Players were left waiting for their family members to enter the stadium, causing confusion and frustration. The aftermath of the event left many ticket holders unable to experience the match they paid for, prompting the stadium to address individual concerns and prioritize the health and safety of guests and staff.
In conclusion, the Copa América final between Colombia and Argentina turned into a night of chaos and disorder, with the arrest of Ramón Jesurún highlighting the lack of security and organization at the event. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and the need for better crowd control measures at sporting events to ensure the well-being of all attendees.