Colombia’s soccer federation president and son arrested amid Copa América final chaos
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son were among 27 people arrested during the crowd control issues that broke out Sunday at the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia, police said Monday.
Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramón Jamil Jesurún were detained after the event at Hard Rock Stadium, and charged, Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin told the Associated Press. Martin did not disclose the charges.
Ramón Jamil Jesurún was booked on three counts of battery on an official Sunday, arrest records showed.
Colombia’s soccer federation didn’t immediately respond Monday to a request for comment from the AP.
Police came to the Sabor Colombiano restaurant on South Union Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Sunday after reports of a fight. Two people were hospitalized.
It was a chaotic scene just hours before the scheduled 8 p.m. EDT start of the championship match between the two South American countries: Fans forced their way in and jumped over security railings and ran past police officers and stadium attendants, some appearing hysterical as they searched for the people they arrived with.
There appeared to be significant damage to the venue as a result. Video and images posted to social media showed the shattered side railings of an escalator inside the stadium, with shoes, soda cans, reading glasses and articles of clothing left behind. Security railings at a checkpoint in the southwest entrance to the stadium were bent over as thousands of people, including crying children, pushed against them.
The department said over 800 law enforcement officers were at the event.
