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Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, will have a massive police presence in the rest of the club World Cup this month as the city seems to avoid a repeat of the almost deadly incident that resulted in 26 arrests last year.
The last 2024 Copa America final saw a sword of ticketless fans rushing the gates to a match between Argentina and Colombia, leaving fans scared and bloody as security struggled to contain hugs as they tried to break in.
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Fans try to enter the stadium in the middle of disturbances before Conmebol Copa America 2024 Last match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Videos showed some fans who tried to climb through air valves to access. Police had to lift distressed children over barriers to prevent them from being crushed, while officers in other places tackled for the ground the ticketless fans they could catch in an abandoned attempt to keep the hammer in check.
But things are different this summer.
“We have taken extensive measures to protect fans, players and staff,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz before the tournament. “Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is leading all security efforts for this global event.”
Changes made in the past year average fans for this tournament must pass through three separate control points that enclose the entire campus before getting close to the stadium. Steel fences are set around the perimeter.
First up is a ticket control at temporary gates that occupy large parts of the parking lot, where the tailgate parties can usually take place. Then comes another Airport style screening under tents, where bags are controlled by X -ray machines. Even flags must be approved.
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Police officers patrol the area when fans are waiting to enter the stage before the Copa America Final Soccer match between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, FLA. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fans were able to get much closer to the stadium before checking points in Copa America.
“When I was in the final, the security guards just opened the gate and started letting people through,” Edison Negron, a Boca Junior fan from Puerto Rico, told Associated Press as they described the scenes that fans crushed against barriers last year.
Miami-Dade County said at the time that a full review would be completed and that the scenes “can’t happen again.”
“There will be significant law enforcement and security imprints in and around the stadium to ensure public security for all events,” that. Argemis Colome told the AP while adding that social media was monitored before matches.
Preparations have included special training for a quick definition strength as part of a multi-agent response on potential audience problems.
“If things go south, we get ready for civilian unrest and irregular fans,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.
A large police presence has been evident on both matches played at Hard Rock so far – Saturday’s Tournament Opener, as a quantity of more than 60,000 saw Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly and Monday’s match between Boca Juniors and Benfica in front of nearly 56,000.
Police people talk to fans outside the stadium before the Copa America Final Soccer Match between Argentina and Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday 14 July 2024. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Patrol cars are stationed along the intermediate state outside the stadium, and within the grounds, officers are equipped with facial screens and protective clothing on patrol.
FIFA said it had worked closely with stadium officials, state and federal agencies “to ensure a robust security presence.”
