The president of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramon Jesurun, and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were apprehended in connection with the tumultuous occurrences during the Copa America final on Sunday, as per records from the Miami-Dade Police. Both individuals are facing allegations of felony battery, with Ramon Jesurun being charged on three counts.
The unsettling events transpired just prior to the scheduled 8 p.m. ET kickoff of the Copa America final on Sunday. The Miami area, which is home to substantial diaspora populations from the competing teams, Argentina and Colombia, witnessed an overwhelming surge in demand for tickets, leading to prices skyrocketing to as much as $1,300 on the secondary market.
The intense demand resulted in distressing scenes of fans breaching stadium gates and accessing the venue through vents, as well as reports of ticket holders discovering their seats already occupied by unauthorized individuals. The large number of trespassers left event personnel struggling to maintain order.
Law enforcement authorities and event organizers issued stern warnings against disruptive and unlawful behaviour, underscoring a “ZERO TOLERANCE” policy. Despite the presence of 550 MDPD law enforcement officers at the game, the situation rapidly intensified, necessitating a delay of over an hour for the start of the match.
Following the commencement of the game, Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time, securing Argentina’s second consecutive victory in the Copa America. Subsequently, players from the winning team voiced criticisms of the deplorable conditions, characterizing it as a “disaster” and expressing apprehensions for their safety and that of their families.
The disturbing incidents that marred the Copa America final have sparked outrage and elicited significant backlash, with Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Cava condemning the unprecedented occurrences and stressing the imperative of preventing such a situation from reoccurring. Additionally, CONMEBOL, the governing body of Copa America and South American football, has been subjected to considerable criticism for the mismanagement of the event.
The chaos at the Copa America final not only resulted in the delayed commencement of the match but also culminated in the arrest of a prominent figure in the football community, raising concerns about the safety and security protocols in place for major sporting events. As further details regarding the arrests and subsequent developments emerge, the broader implications of these distressing events continue to be the subject of widespread engagement and scrutiny.