Watch Video of Copa America Fans Trying to Climb Through HVAC Vent
Ticket holders waited in line for hours without water in the hot sun. When they entered the Miami Hardrock stadium, they were charged $8 for a bottle of water. The game was delayed for over a half hour.
Some people were over-anxious to get into the stadium to get water and other food. Others didn’t buy tickets at all; they just broke open an HVAC vent and started hoisting each other into the open commercial vent.
According to USA Today, fans without tickets for Sunday’s Copa America final climbed fences. They ran past security more than an hour before the Argentina-Colombia match at Hard Rock Stadium. The situation forced a delay in the kickoff to 9:15 p.m. ET.
At least 10-15 people were arrested, one law enforcement officer said. Other fans trying to enter inappropriately have been escorted out of the gate but not arrested.
At least seven people were seen by USA TODAY Sports receiving treatment by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue near the stadium’s entrance ramps. The people appeared to be in distress, with flushed faces. They were given bottles of water while sitting on the ground and along a low wall.
Banana Republic News reached out to sheriff candidates asking how they would handle the situation differently.
“Miami Dade County security and protocols need to change to better organize for events. My deputies will be trained to assist citizens before they need medical care. Deputies will be retrained to ensure they are vigilant and properly rested.” says Sheriff candidate Ruamen DeLaRua.
