The Copa America Final was a disaster

While the United States and the whole world are still shaken by the shocking attack on Donald Trump, in the last hours another major event on American soil - in this case a sporting event, the 2024 Copa America Final - has made headlines (also) for public order issues. In the match between Argentina and Colombia, there was no shortage of pathos and historic moments, from the injury of a tearful Lionel Messi to the decisive goal of Lautaro Martinez in extra time that earned the Selección their 16th continental title; but what stole the show were the riots outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The match started almost an hour and a half late, when the stands were finally filled and the waters calmed down at the stadium entrances after moments of chaos, but also great concern.

Shortly before the scheduled time, the South American federation - CONMEBOL - issued a statement announcing a 30-minute delay - which then became 45, then 75 - for the kick-off. In the meantime, the disturbing images coming from the area surrounding the Hard Rock Stadium showed scenes of collective panic and violence. Thousands of Argentine and Colombian fans without tickets showed up at the gates, trying in every way to enter: videos show group charges at checkpoints, attempts to climb over fences, and even to enter the ventilation system of the structure. Clearly unprepared for such a scenario, the Miami police, together with event security personnel, reacted by opening and closing gates, issuing a series of (relatively useful) appeals for calm and order, trying in vain to regain control of the situation. The result, however, was in front of the eyes of millions of viewers connected from more than 30 countries around the world: dangerously crowded crowds against fences and gates, chases and blows from batons, lines of people lying on the ground with handcuffs on their wrists. Paul Tenorio, correspondent for the New York Times, also reported that "the police prevented people, including the media, from filming in that area."

One update on the expected start time and appeal for order after another, in the end the security personnel gave in to the impossibility of managing (without further delays) the situation. Around 2:45 Italian time, with the stands still half empty and the teams back on the field warming up, the gates were opened and thousands of fans, with and without tickets, were let into the stadium (leaving just as many outside, including some with tickets). Certainly, at the time of kick-off, there were more than the expected 65,000 fans at the Hard Rock Stadium, which was of course sold out. "A wave of people without tickets entered," confirms Tenorio, "but I don't think there was an alternative. The situation was terrible and not getting any better. I saw so many people who were dragged, staggering, drenched in sweat, to the medical station for water and treatment."

The chaos and panic effect of those moments put everyone present in danger, some due to their own responsibility (which is not meant to justify their behavior), others "guilty" only of being there. Fortunately, despite the risk, the evening ended without any dramatic consequences, but only with a few injuries. However, the unpreparedness of the organizers and law enforcement cannot go unnoticed for a country that will host the World Cup in two years and has certainly not given reassuring guarantees in this regard, neither yesterday nor in the past. The issue of security and logistics had already been discussed last week, after the fierce criticism of Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay's coach, at the end of the semifinal against Colombia, when tensions in the stands had even involved players from both teams. Bielsa pointed the finger at the organizers, calling them - in no uncertain terms, as usual - "liars."

Now, with the addition of the incidents in Miami, attention to this aspect has grown exponentially, along with media pressure. The improvised and inefficient management of yesterday's emergency has indeed raised more than a few questions from the start. Felipe Cardenas, from The Athletic, spoke of "a situation unprecedented for a sporting event in the United States. There were so many people in danger, including children and pregnant women. The police were totally unprepared for something like this, but in this type of event, you have to take into account that you are not just managing a football match, but an occasion that involves thousands of fans who come from other countries."

In short, yesterday's match will be remembered as the final of the tears of Messi, James Rodriguez, and Di Maria (all probably saying goodbye), and the consecration of Lautaro Martinez, the man of destiny for the Albiceleste and top scorer of the tournament. It was also the night of Shakira, who performed on stage in the middle of the field during the 25-minute halftime show; a Super Bowl-style halftime show that highlighted the supremacy of American sporting events in terms of entertainment and spectacularization of the product. To a lesser extent, however, it will be a final remembered for the unpleasant incidents that took place outside the pitch. Now there are two years, approaching the 2026 World Cup, to ensure that when fans from all over the world arrive in American cities, we can remember those matches only for the spectacle offered on the field.