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A lawsuit seeking to become a class action was filed last week following the issues around security at the Copa América final in Miami.
Kick-off was delayed by more than an hour for the match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium just over a week ago, as some fans without tickets attempted to break in. Some fans were detained by police, but others were left stranded outside the stadium even though they had valid tickets.
According to reports, a lawsuit seeking to be a class action has been filed with the US District Court in Miami against CONMEBOL (the South American Football Federation), CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football), the operators of Hard Rock Stadium (South Florida Stadium), and Best Crowd Management.
This follows three other lawsuits that were filed in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, serving Miami-Dade County, listing only CONMEBOL and South Florida Stadium as defendants.
It was decided by stadium officials, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and local law enforcement to allow all fans in to prevent an emergency incident. However, after the mass rush to get in, the gates were then closed to all including those with tickets.
Lawyer Irwin Ast told USA Today Sports that his firm had been overwhelmed with ticket-paying fans seeking damages.
The complaint seeking to be a class action alleges the “defendants’ failure to implement adequate security protocols resulted in mass chaos, injuries”, while excluding those who had bought actual tickets and paid thousands for travel and accommodation.
Hard Rock Stadium, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF are currently working with Ticketmaster to offer refunds to those denied entry to the Copa América final. However, this will not help people that purchased tickets through resale marketplaces.
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