The 71-year-old president of Colombia's soccer federation and his son were apprehended in Miami, accused of engaging in a physical altercation with security personnel following the chaotic scenes at the Copa America final, Miami-Dade police confirmed on Monday.
Sunday's final, which saw Colombia defeated by Argentina, commenced over an hour behind schedule due to a police-enforced lockdown that resulted in hundreds of fans being stranded outside Florida's Hard Rock Stadium. Social media footage depicted security personnel in conflict with fans attempting to force their way through the gates.
Ramon Jeserun, the federation president, and his 43-year-old son Ramon Jamil were arrested following a dispute at the stadium shortly past midnight, as per arrest records from Miami police. Both individuals were charged with battery.
The altercation occurred in a tunnel where media personnel were assembling post-match. According to police reports, Jeserun and his son were involved in a physical confrontation with security guards, including a uniformed guard responsible for controlling the crowd. Reports state that Jeserun's son seized the guard by the neck, dragged him to the ground, and proceeded to strike and kick him in the head.
The Colombian soccer federation has not issued any comments on the matter. Over two dozen fans were arrested during the Copa America final, and more than 50 individuals were ejected from the premises, which were patrolled by over 800 law enforcement officers.
This marked the second occasion the United States has hosted the prestigious national team soccer tournament of the Americas, established over a century ago. In a statement released on Monday, the Hard Rock Stadium acknowledged its preparations for the event, which included a significant increase in law enforcement and security personnel, amounting to more than double the usual number for a fully occupied stadium event.
After the gates were initially closed and subsequently reopened, the stadium reported that fans persisted in unlawful behavior, which included assaults on police officers, destruction of walls and barricades, and acts of vandalism that inflicted substantial damage to the property.
The stadium, with a capacity exceeding 65,000, is slated to host seven matches during the 2026 World Cup.
