High-Profile Arrests Rock Copa America Final Amid Chaos

Colombia's soccer federation president Ramón Jesurún and his son were among 27 people arrested due to crowd control issues during the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Both men face felony battery charges for fighting with stadium security guards. The chaotic event saw significant damage and delayed the match.

Colombia's soccer federation president Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun were among 27 arrested during the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, according to Miami-Dade police. The pair face felony battery charges after allegedly fighting stadium security guards at Hard Rock Stadium. Police report that Jesurún and his son attempted unauthorized entry onto the field, leading to a physical confrontation with guards after a verbal altercation escalated.

The Colombian soccer federation has not commented on the arrests. Jesurún has led the federation since 2015 and is a CONMEBOL vice president. CONMEBOL expressed regret over the chaotic scene and cited failures in security measures. The chaos delayed the final match for over an hour, leading officials to open gates hastily to avoid injuries from a potential stampede.

The Hard Rock Stadium, slated to host World Cup matches in 2026, experienced significant damage, with busted railings and littered items. Over 800 officers were deployed, with 55 ejections reported. Expert Steve Adelman criticized the inadequate preparation for the passionate fanbase, saying similar patterns were evident in past international soccer events.

(With inputs from agencies.)