MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Hundreds of people were seen rushing the gates of Hard Rock Stadium before Sunday’s Copa America final match between Argentina and Colombia, causing chaos and a security nightmare.
On Monday, Local 10 News spoke to two former South Florida police chiefs to get their take on what happened.
“It’s not to be overly critical, but there were failures and they need to figure out why,” said former Miami police Chief Jorge Colina.
Added ex-El Portal police Chief David Magnusson, “It was certainly a failure. A security failure.”
According to a statement by Hard Rock Stadium, they worked with CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, and local police.
They say stadium gates were strategically opened and closed to let in ticketed fans that the match was postponed from its planned 8 p.m. start time, but a decision was made minutes later to open the gates, regardless of tickets, with no mention of any security checks.
“That becomes secondary, the ‘someone doesn’t have a ticket’ if they think someone’s health and wellbeing is potentially at risk, that becomes (a) priority,” said Colina.
Added Magnusson: “If you’re worried about the immediacy of a stampede, then you do what you have to do make sure people don’t get hurt because it’s immediate. I don’t know how many people got in without being checked but it only takes one person with a sharp instrument or a hand gun.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in the end, more than 800 officers were at the event.
“Compared to just over 300 for Super Bowl,” she said Monday.
The event provided some hard lessons ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“As bad and embarrassing as this looked for South Florida, no one was seriously harmed and that’s a bonus, but may not be the case next time,” said Colina.
Added Magnusson: “Luck seems to have played a role where it didn’t get worse, but it’s not a strategy and not sustainable.”
CONMEBOL released a statement to Local 10 News on Monday night, which you can read here:
In a response to CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium also released a statement Tuesday morning, which you can read here:
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Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.
