The Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Columbia was delayed by about two hours, and it is still not clear who is to blame for the blunder behind the long wait.
The Argentina vs Columbia match was the hottest ticket in the USA on Sunday, July 14. The match was being played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The stadium has a capacity of just over 65,000 people for a football match.
The game was supposed to start at 5:00 a.m. IST, but the kick-off happened at 6:53 a.m., which is just minutes before two hours later than the original start time.
But why did such a delay in one of the biggest football games in the world even happen? Who was responsible for the hold-up, and who was the culprit in this whole ordeal?
Just before the original kick-off time, CONMEBOL (South American Football Association) announced on social media that there would be a 30-minute delay. This was because a lot of fans were unable to enter the stadiums. This was later turned into a 60-minute delay.
Copa America 2024 Final Started Two Hours Late
But why were the fans denied entry in the first place? Actually, a lot of people without tickets had gathered in front of the gates. Some were looking to buy tickets at the last minute, while others were looking to get into the stands by any means.
With an ocean of people in front of the stadium gates, many of them without tickets, the event staff was unable to manage the situation.
NBC News and The Athletic have reported that the gates were opened and shut slightly and that the fans were seen breaking through the railing. Due to excessive heat and high humidity in Miami, fans were seeking water, and a few even fainted while waiting to enter the stadium.
In an official statement released by the Miami-Dale County Police Department, the authorities blamed the fans and their behaviour for the situation, stating,
“These incidents have been a result of the unruly behaviour of fans trying to access the stadium. We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel.”
Videos have also emerged of fans trying to use air ducts to enter the stadium, which gives credence to the idea that several fans without tickets were looking for a way into the Hard Rock.
Check Out: Copa America 2024 Final Started Two Hours Late
While Lionel Messi’sArgentina might have defeated Columbia 1-0 in extra time to clinch their second Copa America in a row and create a historic moment, the whole fiasco around fan entry into the ground left a sour taste in many mouths.
A fan, via NBC News, slammed the United States’s preparation to host such a big tournament and questioned their ability to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they will do alongside Canada and Mexico.
“They can’t organise a World Cup! It’s impossible. People stuck against the gate for hours, unable to breathe. There was a senior citizen, look at him, look at him, left without water. No water, nothing,” the fan said.
With Copa America 2024 coming to a close, the USA will now have their eyes on hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having learned from this experience, the country and its football board will look to host a great tournament two years later.
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