Colombia Football Federation President and Son Face Battery Charges After Copa América Final Brawl
Ramón Jesurún, the 71-year-old president of the Colombia Football Federation, and his 43-year-old son, Ramón Jamil Jesurún, are facing three felony counts of battery on a specified official or employee after a brawl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, following the 2024 Copa América final.
The drama unfolded around 12:20 a.m. ET as the two men attempted to gain access to the field. According to the arrest report, the duo began shouting at a security guard who asked them to step back, and the situation quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
The two were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center just after 4:10 a.m. Monday, with Ramón Jesurún’s bail set at $2,000 and his son’s at $1,000.
This chaotic incident took place amidst a larger controversy surrounding the 2024 Copa América final, which saw Argentina defeat Colombia 1-0 in extra time. The match was marred by crowd chaos, with 27 arrests and 55 ejections reported by Miami-Dade police. Additionally, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 120 incidents at the stadium, 116 of which were medical related.
What Caused the Chaos?
In the lead-up to the final, fans without tickets forced their way into the stadium, leading to a delayed kickoff and a chaotic atmosphere. Fans jumped over security railings and ran past police officers and stadium attendants, with some appearing hysterical as they searched for their friends and family.
"This was an extremely challenging and dangerous situation, posing life safety concerns for attendees," said James Reyes, the chief of public safety for Miami-Dade County. "We are working with the event organizers to conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and security protocols."
What Did CONMEBOL Say?
In a statement, CONMEBOL, the governing body behind the Copa América, distanced itself from the chaos, pointing fingers at Hard Rock Stadium authorities. The organization claimed that the stadium authorities failed to heed their advice on preparing for the event, which attracted a record 42,000 attendees.
"We regret that the acts of violence caused by malicious individuals have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great sports celebration," CONMEBOL said.
The Fallout
Hard Rock Stadium did not respond to requests for comment on its security plans, but stated that it had "more than double" the personnel on duty than at a typical capacity event.
We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed, and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns," the stadium said. "Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff."
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