Security failures led to Copa América final chaos - report - ESPN

Officials for Miami-Dade County said a lack of intelligence gathering, insufficient security perimeters and large numbers of unticketed fans on stadium grounds led to the chaotic scene that unfolded ahead of last year's Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium.

Miami-Dade police received a report the day before the final that Texas law enforcement «experienced difficulties removing crowds from the stadium areas» after a separate Copa América match, and that large crowds were forming in the streets near the Colombia team hotel in Florida, the then-chief of the Miami-Dade County Strategic Response Division wrote in an after-action report dated Dec. 13, 2024, and obtained by ESPN.

The information prompted officials to activate more police for the game. At least 900 members of law enforcement ultimately staffed or responded to the event, according to the report.

Still, the report states, «the fact that 20,000 to 30,000 patrons had a plan to arrive early, park off site, then crash the entry gates with overwhelming numbers was not gathered and shared by any intelligence source. Had this information been known, our plan would have been modified for this contingency.»

The report recommends that law enforcement track social media platforms to discover such plans.

Thousands of fans rushed Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the July match, jumping over security railings and running past police officers, jeopardizing the safety of fans, players and referees. The scene led stadium and match officials to delay the game. Fifty-four people were ejected and 26 people were arrested, according to the report.

The night of the final, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she was «outraged» by what happened