The President of the Colombian Football Federation and his son are among the 27 individuals officially arrested during the chaos that erupted on Sunday during the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia.
Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramón Jamil Jesurún were detained after the match at the Hard Rock Stadium and were charged, according to a statement made to The Associated Press by Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin. Both face three counts of assault after being accused of fighting with multiple security guards, the source revealed.
According to the police report, both Jesurún and his son attempted to access the pitch after the conclusion of the match. Finding the access closed, they confronted the security staff. The altercation escalated quickly, with reports detailing that both men pushed, grabbed by the neck, and kicked an employee, who had to be taken to the hospital.
Father and son have been released after posting bail, and both denied the authorities' version of events. "I believe... from what little I've heard, that the story has been told inaccurately... after all, we are human, and this can happen to anyone. We will make an official statement soon," Ramón Jamil said upon leaving jail in comments to Telemundo 51.
The President of the Colombian Football Federation defended himself against the accusations, insisting that he did not hit anyone and that the police report does not reflect the reality of the events. "A security guard, one of those who want to act important, ignored [Jesurún's total access authority]. I insisted that I could enter, and he pushed me, and there a ridiculous, unjust scuffle broke out, where children were trampled... investigate," Jesurún declared.
"Because of that man, children were trampled... I defended myself... I did not hit anyone... that's what the report says, but look at the video," the President of the Colombian Football Federation demanded.
Ramón Jesurún, 71, is a member of FIFA and has served as president of the federation since 2015. He is also the vice president of CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football that organized the Copa América. In a statement released Monday, CONMEBOL regretted the incidents in which multiple fans tried to enter the stadium without tickets, undermining the brilliance of the final.
The Hard Rock Stadium stated that security was a shared responsibility between the stadium administrators, CONMEBOL, the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the local police.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava dismissed the idea that a lack of police at the stadium was the issue, highlighting that there were over 800 officers and members of other agencies present, compared to the just over 300 usually seen at the Super Bowl. Videos and images posted on social media showed the prevailing chaos and sparked concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL's Dolphins, will host seven World Cup matches in 2026, including a quarterfinal and the third-place match.
Details on the Arrests at the Copa América Final
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the arrests made during the chaotic events at the Copa América final.
What charges do Ramón Jesurún and his son face?
Both Ramón Jesurún and his son face three counts of assault after being accused of fighting with multiple security guards.
What was the cause of the altercation?
The altercation reportedly started when Jesurún and his son attempted to access the pitch after the match and confronted security staff upon finding the access closed.
How did the authorities and stadium officials respond to the incident?
Authorities and stadium officials stated that security was a shared responsibility among stadium administrators, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, and local police. Miami-Dade Mayor highlighted that there were over 800 officers and other agency members present.