Colombia Football Federation President and Son Arrested at Copa América Final

Colombia Football Federation (FCF) President Ramón Jesurún and his son, Ramón Jamil Jesurún, were arrested by Miami-Dade police at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, after the 2024 Copa América final match between Colombia and Argentina. The two were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and later released on bond.

According to the arrest report, the father-son duo was accused of fighting multiple security guards at one of the stadium’s tunnels used for the media as they tried to gain access to the field. The altercation turned physical when a security officer asked them to step back, and they began shouting at him. The officer reported that Ramón Jamil grabbed the guard by the neck, pulled him to the ground, and punched and kicked him in the head.

The FCF president, 71, and his son, 43, were charged with battery on a specified official or employee. The judge set bond at $2,000 for the president and $1,000 for his son. The FCF apologized to organizers and blamed private security inside the Hard Rock Stadium for the incident, stating that employees prevented timely and direct access to the field for most members of the Colombian delegation.

The incident occurred during chaotic scenes at the stadium, where fans without tickets forced their way in, jumped over security railings, and ran past police officers and stadium attendants. The police report stated that there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections on Sunday. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 120 incidents, with 116 being medical-related.

The FCF president serves on the FIFA Council, the strategic and oversight body for soccer’s global governing body. In a statement, the FCF regretted the event and offered apologies to organizers, the host country, and those affected. The president also deeply regretted the incident, which he said was a paternal and instinctive move to protect his son and family.

The Copa América final was marred by crowd chaos, forcing the kickoff to be delayed. Colombia lost the match 1-0 to Argentina in extra time. The police chief, James Reyes, praised the swift response of law enforcement teams in handling the challenging situation, which posed life safety concerns for attendees.

The event organizers are working with the police to conduct a comprehensive review of safety and security protocols, as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, issued a statement distancing itself from the chaos and pointing a finger at Hard Rock Stadium authorities for failing to heed its advice in preparing for the event.

Hard Rock Stadium had more than double the personnel on Sunday than at a typical capacity event, but the stadium’s security plans were criticized for not being effective in preventing the chaos. The stadium has a capacity of over 65,000, and the event organizers will work with CONMEBOL to address individual concerns.

The incident highlights the importance of effective security measures in large-scale events, and the need for cooperation between event organizers, law enforcement, and stadium authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.

Historical Context:

The Copa América is an international football tournament held every two years, featuring national teams from South America. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the region, and the 2024 edition was held in the United States for the first time. The tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1916, and has been won by several iconic teams, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The 2024 edition was marked by controversy, with the arrest of the Colombia Football Federation President and his son, which highlights the importance of effective security measures in large-scale events.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Colombia Football Federation President Ramón Jesurún and his son, Ramón Jamil Jesurún, were arrested at the 2024 Copa América final match between Colombia and Argentina at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. • The father-son duo was accused of fighting multiple security guards at one of the stadium’s tunnels used for the media, and was charged with battery on a specified official or employee. • The FCF apologized to organizers and blamed private security inside the Hard Rock Stadium for the incident, stating that employees prevented timely and direct access to the field for most members of the Colombian delegation. • The incident occurred during chaotic scenes at the stadium, where fans without tickets forced their way in, jumped over security railings, and ran past police officers and stadium attendants. • The police report stated that there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections on Sunday, with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responding to 120 incidents, including 116 medical-related cases. • The FCF president serves on the FIFA Council, the strategic and oversight body for soccer’s global governing body, and regretted the incident, saying it was a paternal and instinctive move to protect his son and family. • The Copa América final was marred by crowd chaos, forcing the kickoff to be delayed, and Colombia lost the match 1-0 to Argentina in extra time. • The police chief praised the swift response of law enforcement teams in handling the challenging situation, which posed life safety concerns for attendees. • The event organizers are working with the police to conduct a comprehensive review of safety and security protocols, as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. • CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, issued a statement distancing itself from the chaos and pointing a finger at Hard Rock Stadium authorities for failing to heed its advice in preparing for the event. • Hard Rock Stadium had more than double the personnel on Sunday than at a typical capacity event, but the stadium’s security plans were criticized for not being effective in preventing the chaos. • The incident highlights the importance of effective security measures in large-scale events, and the need for cooperation between event organizers, law enforcement, and stadium authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.