The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramon Jesurun, was arrested after the Copa America final on Monday morning (Vietnam time), according to Miami-Dade Police records. He faces three charges.
Jesurun and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were both detained at Hard Rock Stadium in a chaotic incident that saw police make 27 arrests and evict 55 people from the site.
The 71-year-old Chairman is accused of assaulting a law enforcement official or event organizer. In the incident recounted in the file, two people tried to enter the field through a tunnel where the media gathered after the match. Stopped by security forces, they "became angry".
Words passed and turned to action, when a guard placed an “open palm” on Mr. Ramon's chest to “turn him around,” the younger Jesurun grabbed the guard “around the neck” and pulled him down. ground before throwing "2 punches to the body".
Jesurun was required to post bail of $1,000 for each of the first two charges.
According to Mirror US, as of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, he was still in police custody.
These shocking scenes took place before the start of the 2024 Copa America final. The Miami area, where there are a large number of fans of both finalists, Argentina and Colombia, has a huge demand for tickets. , with a starting price of 1,300 USD on the "black market".
Demand to enter the stadium was so great, videos were seen of fans jumping over gates and entering the stadium through vents, among other forms of illegal entry.
Many people had tickets but their seats were taken, while event staff were overloaded and unable to assist fans.
“We ask everyone to be patient and comply with the rules set forth by officers and Hard Rock Stadium staff,” Miami Dade Police warned at the time. “We are actively working with the Stadium Organizing Committee to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.
Misbehavior will get you fired and/or arrested. We have no tolerance for the unruly behavior of all attendees."
According to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, 550 MDPD law enforcement officers were present for the game.
Footage at the stadium also captured event organizers allowing fans in without checking tickets, which Hard Rock Stadium organizers explained wanted to avoid a dangerous stampede at the entrance gate .
CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, faced backlash over the events, including from Mayor Daniella Cava.
Ms. Cava's statement read: "We are outraged by the unprecedented events at the Copa America final. The Copa America final was hosted by CONMEBOL and the Miami-Dade Police Department provided security support along with other law enforcement agencies.....
Additionally, MDPD has mobilized additional personnel from multiple other jurisdictions to support everyone's safety… Let's be clear: This situation should never have happened and cannot happen again.”
The match started more than an hour late because the stands were dangerously overcrowded.
After the match, Argentine players criticized the playing conditions as "inhumane", calling it a "disaster".
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister even left the locker room early, prioritizing his family's safety after the chaos.
Lionel Messi 's Argentina won the 2024 Copa America, also the 16th time they were crowned in South America's top tournament.
