Colombia FA head Ramon Jesurun and son among 27 arrests at Copa final riot in Miami
Ramón Jesurún, head of Colombia’s soccer federation, and his son were among those detained at the Copa America final, police say.
The Miami-Dade Police Department said it made 27 arrests and 55 ejections following a host of crowd control issues at the Copa America soccer final between Argentina and Colombia.
They included Ramon Jesurun, the president of Colombia’s football federation, and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun. The 71-year-old also serves on the FIFA Council, a “strategic and oversight body” for soccer’s global governing body.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin confirmed to The Associated Press that both of them were detained Sunday after the event at Hard Rock Stadium, and charged. He did not disclose the charges.
Arrest records showed Monday that Ramon Jamil Jesurun was booked on three counts of battery on an official Sunday.
Columbia’s soccer federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP.
The misbehaviour on Sunday included fans breaching security gates at the venue, the perimeter organisation of which has been questioned.
“We are working with the event organisers to conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and security protocols, as we continue to prepare for the World Cup in 2026,” chief public safety officer James Reyes said.
It was a chaotic scene just hours before the scheduled 8 pm start of the final between the two South American countries. Fans forced their way in jumped over security railings and ran past police officers and stadium attendants, some appearing hysterical as they searched for the people they arrived with.
There appeared to be significant damage to the venue as a result. Video and images posted to social media showed the shattered side railings of an escalator inside the stadium, with shoes, soda cans, reading glasses and articles of clothing left behind. Security railings at a checkpoint in the southwest entrance to the stadium were bent over as thousands of people, including crying children, pushed against them.
The department said more than 800 law enforcement officers were at the event.
Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time.
