Fans to sue CONMEBOL after pre-match Copa America final chaos

Two groups of fans are seeking more than $100,000 in damages after being blocked entry into the stadium despite purchasing tickets for last week's Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami, according to ESPN.

Thousands of fans were let into the stadium despite not having tickets, delaying kickoff by more than an hour. Gates were then closed when the stadium reached capacity - barring hundreds with tickets from entering.

CONMEBOL has come under scrutiny since Sunday's final for their mishandling of the situation. Fans started crowding the gates hours before kickoff, and with inadequate staffing and security, thousands were pictured entering without having their tickets checked. Miami-Dade Police revealed after that they had made 27 arrests, while 116 medically-related incidents were reported.

Defendant Jacqueline Martinez articulated her experience in a complaint: "Despite having a valid ticket, Plaintiff was denied entry to the sporting event due to a large number of individuals rushing the arena and entering unlawfully, which resulted in overcrowding and safety concerns... As a result of being denied entry, Plaintiff was unable to attend the sporting event and suffered monetary loss, emotional distress and other damages."

The South American Football Federation have faced increased scrutiny since the events of last week. The governing body blamed Hard Rock Stadium for failing to follow recommended safety measures, but are yet to announce an official investigation into the scenes before the game.