Fans receive medical treatment at Copa América final amid chaos outside venue

Fans appeared to have breached the security gates of the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday evening, just hours before the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.

Videos posted to social media showed fans jumping over security barriers at the southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and running past police officers and stadium staff. Screams could be heard in the background.

A handful of people could be seen getting medical treatment and asking for water in the stifling South Florida heat. Officers were able to push the crowd behind black barriers and seal off the entrance so no one could enter, even though plenty of fans were already in their seats.

A young fan, dressed in an Argentina shirt, was allowed inside crying as the man with him and a police officer tried to comfort him.

A fan named Claudio, who had travelled from Mendoza in Argentina to the match, said he could not breathe as police tried to quell the chaos.

Miami-Dade County police released a statement on social media after the event, saying there were “multiple incidents” before the stadium gates opened.

“These incidents are a result of unruly behavior from fans attempting to enter the stadium,” the statement said. “We ask everyone to be patient and adhere to the rules set forth by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium staff. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all in attendance. Unruly behavior will result in ejection and/or arrest.”

A sold-out stadium of more than 65,000 people was expected for the championship match of the South American tournament.

It is unclear which fans who were allowed in during the rush had tickets for the match. Conmebol, the South American governing body, issued a statement the day before warning that fans must have a ticket to enter the venue.

The tournament was marred by organizational and security problems. Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa criticized the competition organizers after a brawl between its players and Colombian fans, and Canadian coach Jesse Marsch said his team was treated as second-class citizens.