Multi-Million Dollar Settlement After Copa America Final Descends Into Chaos
The organisers of the 2024 Copa America Final have agreed to pay millions of dollars to fans following the shambolic and dangerous scenes that unfolded outside Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. The settlement, totalling $14 million, comes after a class action lawsuit was filed by spectators who were injured, passed out, or denied entry despite holding valid tickets for the match between Argentina and Colombia.
Gate Rush and Crushing Crowds Cause Kickoff Delay
Hours before the scheduled 7:00pm ET kickoff, the situation outside the stadium spiralled out of control. Fans rushed the entrances, prompting security and Miami-Dade Police to respond by slamming the gates shut. This led to a painfully slow entry process, with only a few people being allowed in at a time. As a result, massive and dangerous crushes formed in the oppressive July heat and humidity of South Florida.
Multiple fans were seen passing out at the gates from the combined pressure of the crowd and the extreme weather. In an attempt to alleviate the risk of a stampede and serious injury, a drastic decision was made. Stadium staff temporarily opened the gates, allowing everyone through without checking tickets or conducting security screenings.
This measure pushed the kickoff back by an hour and twenty minutes, but it created a new wave of problems inside the venue.
Stadium Overcapacity as Thousands Enter Without Tickets
The decision to open the gates had immediate and startling consequences. Thousands of people without tickets flooded into the Hard Rock Stadium, leading to significant overcrowding. The stadium was pushed thousands of people over its intended capacity.
This meant that many loyal fans who had purchased tickets were now being denied entry at the gates. For those who did get inside, a further frustration awaited. Their seats were often occupied by individuals without rightful access, who frequently refused to leave when confronted. Security forces were largely helpless to remove them, though police later conducted section-by-section ticket checks, resulting in only dozens of ejections.
Chaos continued even after the match began, with social media videos showing people climbing gates and scrambling through air conditioning vents to gain access. Reports detail that escalators were destroyed, glass was smashed, and there were attempts to storm the exclusive '72 Club'. Post-match figures confirmed 27 arrests and 55 ejections.
$14 Million Settlement Reached for Impacted Fans
The fallout from the event led to a class action lawsuit against the event organisers: CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC. On Monday, a settlement was reached for these defendants to collectively pay $14 million into a fund for fans impacted by the crowd trouble.
The final payout per person will depend on the number of valid claims submitted. Attorney Jeff Newsome of Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the fans, stated, 'This case was about standing up for the fans. And today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team are proud to deliver real relief to the class members.'
In the aftermath, a blame game ensued. CONMEBOL released a statement criticising stadium officials for failing to implement its recommended safety procedures. Hard Rock Stadium officials fired back, claiming they had not only implemented but exceeded CONMEBOL's expectations. A Concacaf spokesperson clarified to The Athletic that the physical running and security of the tournament was '100 percent CONMEBOL'.
Amidst the turmoil, the football match did eventually take place. Argentina won the final 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martinez.
