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Fans jump over fence at Hard Rock Stadium – NBC 6 South Florida

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The Copa America final was delayed by chaos after fans flooded the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

At least three people were arrested, including Luis Beltran Martinez and Elkin Mayorga.

Martinez stormed the front gate and failed to show his ticket, an arrest report states. He is also accused of throwing water at an officer to distract him from arresting another person.

(From left to right) Ramon Jesurun, Luis Beltran Martinez and Elkin Mayorga

A witness told police that Mayorga also jumped over the southwest turnstiles. He resisted officers’ attempts to remove him from the stadium and tried to escape, a police report said.

Mayorga later assumed a fighting stance, police said. An officer punched him in the face before taking him into custody. He was later hospitalized for a cut on his face, the report said.

Both men are facing charges of trespassing and assault on a police officer. Mayorga is also charged with intoxication and resisting an officer with violence, among other charges.

A video from Only in Dade captured the moment fans jumped over a fence at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Argentina and Colombia.



A video from Only in Dade shows the moment fans jumped over a fence at Hard Rock Stadium before the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.

In one incident, an officer was hit with a rock, Miami-Dade police said.

A cell phone video showed the unruly fans pushing through security and stewardess forces to get into the stadium. Another video showed another incident in which fans crawled into the stadium’s ventilation shafts.

Police later issued a statement confirming that several incidents had occurred as a result of disorderly conduct and attempts by fans to enter the stadium.

The chaos raised questions about adequate security at the venue. Hard Rock Stadium later issued a statement assuring that it was not a security issue.

“Preparations included an increase in police and security personnel, with more than twice the number of personnel than for a typical stadium event with a full audience,” said a Hard Rock Stadium spokesman.

There have been several incidents in which fans have tried to overpower security guards at the entrances to the stadium, the spokesman confirmed.

This happened just hours before the battle for the title between Argentina and Colombia was due to begin.

“Various stadium gates were closed and strategically reopened to allow ticketed visitors a safe and controlled entry. Fans continued to engage in illegal behavior – brawling with police, tearing down walls and barricades, and vandalizing the stadium, causing significant property damage,” the statement continued.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava issued a statement expressing outrage over the security failures, noting that Miami-Dade police had deployed over 550 officers to the game, and stressed that this situation should not have happened.

This is a developing story. Check NBC6 for updates.

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