The Copa America final at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday ended with Argentina defeating Colombia 1-0, but before the game started, there was a stampede that broke out as fans attempted to bust open the gates at the stadium.
Alex Velazquez, a fan who was at the Hard Rock Stadium when the chaos erupted, spoke with 7News on Monday.
“Literally, jumping on each other’s backs, to jump on the tarp, to sneak into the stadium,” he said.
Many fans were seen pushing, shoving, running, acting unruly and outright barbaric. Hundreds of fans trying to force their way in without a ticket.
Terry Ziemek, another attendee, flew in from Colorado with his two sons Alex and David.
“That was the worst ever soccer sporting event I’ve seen, ever,” said Alex.
For the Ziemeks and other fans who spent thousands of dollars and bought tickets to the game, the chaos made life miserable.
“Like you see in a zombie movies. We paid close to $1,400 for each seat,” Terry said.
“They were climbing on top of the stadium to try to get inside, and it was really clear that there was no security whatsoever stopping it at all,” David said.
“I did feel like my life was in danger at the time,” Alex said.
“We didn’t feel safe to go in the line. It was obvious they weren’t checking tickets,” Terry said.
“No information being given by anybody, not even over a microphone or a loud P.A. system,” Alex said.
Luckily, no one was seriously hurt, but many fans in attendance were in fear for their safety.
“Everybody flooded us. I thought were were going to die,” said one Argentina fan.
Miami-Dade County officials reported that 27 were arrested and 55 people were ejected from Hard Rock Stadium during Sunday’s chaos.
Fernando Perez a dentist from Houston, Texas, said he had tickets to the game Sunday but was shocked with a Taser and arrested amid the Copa chaos.
“I didn’t even know why I got arrested after hours of being here,” he said.
Perez said that as soon as security opened the gates, a great day for soccer fans turned into a nightmare.
“Yes, twice. As they opened the gate, I got pushed in, and they just tased me a couple times and they threw me on the ground,” he said. “People who actually got left out, so at some point one of the gates got open, people started pushing in, I got thrown on the ground, got tased; it was horrible. Then I got arrested. And I spent 24 hours in jail for nothing. Just for trying to watch the game.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava spoke on the issue on Monday.
“I was outraged by the unprecedented events that took place,” she said. “We had over 800 officers and members of other agencies on-site, compared to just over 300 for the Super Bowl. We will be working with the organizers to ensure a full review of last night’s events takes place immediately.”
The Ziemeks and many others might reconsider whether or not they attend another soccer game at Hard Rock again.
“They should’ve had security there from the get-go, and they should have had things ready to go as soon as they knew it was going to be a big game,” David said.
“Their incompetence to hold this, and we’re supposed to be hosting the World Cup in 2026, and that’s the mark we leave,” Alex said.
“When America hosts the World Cup in 2026, I don’t know if I’ll be coming to Miami,” Terry said.
Miami-Dade County officials stressed they are working to get their investigation underway and completed before the preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Copa America games are not organized by stadiums that host their events but by a parent company.
Ecuador was supposed to host the Copa Final but dropped out unexpectedly. The United States stepped in and the championship game was then moved to Hard Rock Stadium.
Copa America’s parent company is in charge of ticket sales, organization and security for the stadium hosting the game.
The World Cup is run by FIFA.
After Sunday’s Copa America final ended, there were several celebrations held across South Florida.
Some websites like StubHub are informing fans who bought fake tickets off phony websites they are looking into the matter but are not promising refunds.