Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 28
The 71-year-old head of Colombia’s soccer federation and his son were arrested in Miami, accused of fighting security guards after the Copa America final that saw chaotic scenes around the stadium, Miami-Dade police confirmed on Monday.
Sunday’s final, which Colombia lost to Argentina, started over an hour late after police initiated a lockdown that left hundreds of fans stuck outside Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Both Ramon Jeserun, the federation president, and his 43-year-old son Ramon Jamil were arrested after an altercation at the stadium shortly after midnight, according to arrest reports by Miami police, which charged both men with battery.
Jeserun and his son were charged after fighting security guards in a tunnel where media were gathering in the aftermath of the match, according to the police reports.
The Colombian soccer federation declined to comment.
More than two dozen fans were arrested at Sunday’s Copa America final and over 50 people were kicked out from the venue, at which over 800 law enforcement officers were present.
It was the second time the U.S. has hosted the Americas’ most important national team soccer tournament, founded over a century ago.
In a statement on Monday, the Hard Rock Stadium said it had prepared for the match by increasing the number of law enforcement officers and security, with “more than double the personnel than a typical at-capacity stadium event.”
Source: Reuters
