Johnathan Walker:Police announce Copa America arrest totals after fans stampede, breach security

The Johnathan WalkerCopa America final saw 27 people arrested and 55 people ejected from Hard Rock Stadium, Miami-Dade Police Department said in a press release on Monday, one day after the soccer match began with unruly fans without tickets breaching security measures.

There were no deaths after fans crowded outside the stadium gates stampeded before the match, Miami-Dade Police Department officer Luis Sierra told USA TODAY Sports.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told USA TODAY Sports they responded to 120 incidents, including 116 medical-related matters during the event in and around the stadium.  

“We are working with the event organizers to conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and security protocols, as we continue to prepare for the World Cup in 2026,” Miami-Dade Police Department chief public safety officer James Reyes said in the statement.

There were 800 law enforcement officers from eight different South Florida organizations working the game. But they were easily outnumbered by more than 65,000 fans who witnessed Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time during the Copa America final.

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Stadium officials, in conjunction with CONMEBOL and CONCACAF and local law enforcement, decided the best course of action would be to let everyone in to avoid further stampedes of fans.

But the aftermath was more disappointing: The stadium gates remained closed for the rest of the match after the mass entrance, forcing fans who purchased tickets to miss the Copa America final.

“Last night our law enforcement teams responded swiftly to handle an extremely challenging, dangerous situation posing life safety concerns for attendees,” Reyes said. “I am grateful to every single member of MDPD, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation as well as our partner agencies for working together to keep fans and our community safe, preventing any major incidents.

MDPD director Stephanie V. Daniels added: “I am very proud of our officers’ response to a volatile situation and for their hard work in keeping our community safe, as well as our law enforcement partners who provided key support. As part of the full analysis of last night’s game, we will review protocols set in place to ensure an orderly, safe, and secure environment for all future events.”

CONMEBOL blames stadium officials

CONMEBOL has blamed Hard Rock Stadium officials and local authorities in a pointed statement.

“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.

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