Colombian Football Federation President Arrested in Miami Amid Copa América Final Chaos
Colombian Football Federation President Ramón Jesurún was taken into custody on Monday after a violent altercation in Miami, Florida, during the Copa América final match.
Fight Erupts During Copa América Final
Jesurún was attempting to enter the field with his son and relatives for the awards ceremony, but security personnel prevented them from entering. The incident escalated into a physical altercation.
Jesurún’s Account of the Incident
In an interview with a local newspaper, Jesurún stated that he showed his credential with "full access" to security, but was still denied entry. He alleged that a security guard pushed him, leading to a chaotic situation.
Bail Set
Jesurún and his son, Ramón Jamil, were released on bail after being charged with "assault on an officer/employee." They reportedly paid $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Fan Violence Mars Copa América Final
Sunday’s match between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 80 minutes due to fan violence. Videos posted on social media showed fans rushing towards the stadium, pushing and attempting to enter through air conditioning ducts.
Ongoing Controversy Surrounds Jesurún
The incident is not the first controversy surrounding Jesurún. He is facing a lawsuit in his country over a scheme to divert and resell tickets for Colombia’s games in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Russia. A court has already fined him approximately USD 80,000.
Colombia’s Tumultuous Copa América Run
Colombia’s participation in the tournament was marked by several incidents off the field. Following their semi-final victory over Uruguay, Colombian fans clashed with Uruguayan fans, resulting in a brawl. Additionally, several Uruguayan players were involved in the altercation.
Sources:
- AFP