Miami: So why has the much-awaited Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia delayed at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on Sunday night? It may sound bizarre, but the game has been delayed due to a crowd issue. The much-awaited final eventually began after an hour and 15 minutes of delay. There was a stampede-like situation as fans without tickets also wanted to enter the stadium to watch the game.
“We would like to inform you that individuals without tickets will not be allowed entry into the stadium. Only those with purchased tickets will be permitted entry once access is reopened. We also inform you that the match will be delayed by 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 PM,” it said in the statement. The match would go on to be delayed by a further 45 minutes.
Statement from a Hard Rock Stadium Spokesperson pic.twitter.com/fWFDq7ggS8
— Hard Rock Stadium (@HardRockStadium) July 14, 2024
The fans without tickets are mostly Colombians. The clips of fans jumping over security railings near the Southwest entrance of the stadium and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background.
CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, posted a statement on X a day before warning that fans must have tickets to even enter the parking lot of the venue.
Miami-Dade County’s police department issued a statement on X following the scene, mentioning that there were “several incidents” before the gates opened at the stadium.
Meanwhile, the summit clash is finally underway. The scores are locked at 0-0 at half-time.
