Settlement Following Copa América Final Chaos
In a significant development following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia, a class action suit has concluded with a settlement expected to exceed $14 million. This legal action arose in the aftermath of crowd chaos at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where numerous fans were barred from entering the venue due to disturbances before the match even started.
Many attendees, concerned about their safety amidst the unrest, opted to leave early. The majority of the claimants in this case are anticipated to be those fans who faced difficulties accessing the game due to these issues.
Defendants and Settlement Agreement
The lawsuit named several entities as defendants, including CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, which manages Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the settlement agreement, these organizations have collectively agreed to create a fund that fan claimants can seek compensation from, with the total amount available dependent on the volume of claims submitted.
Legal representative Jeff Newsome, speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs and the class counsel team from Varnell & Warwick PA, emphasized the case’s purpose, stating, “This case was about advocating for fans. We are thrilled to offer tangible relief to those affected during the Copa América.” Newsome also indicated plans to present the settlement agreement to the court for approval.
Incident Overview
Despite requests for comments, responses were sparse; Concacaf declined to engage, while Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL did not provide any statements. Attempts to reach Best Security were also unsuccessful.
The final match was marred by an 82-minute delay, instigated by fans attempting to force their way into the venue without tickets. In an effort to restore order, venue officials initially locked down the stadium, but chaos ensued as the situation escalated, leading to fears of overcrowding. Eventually, gates were reopened, allowing some ticketless fans to enter the stadium, culminating in a situation where ticketed fans found themselves unable to access the event.
Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections during the incident, with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue attending to 120 situations, primarily of a medical nature.
Claim Categories and Compensation
As per the terms of the settlement, fans can classify themselves into two categories for claim purposes. The first includes those who were outright denied entry, eligible for refunds up to $2,000 per person. While some participants may have spent more on their secondary market tickets, this amount aims to address the majority of cases. Additionally, fans who spent less than $2,000 can claim up to $300 for travel costs, provided total claims do not exceed the cap.
The second category encompasses fans who had limited access to facilities or specific seats within Hard Rock Stadium, with compensation capped at $100 per person for any unavailability of concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding.
Claim Submission Process
To participate in the settlement, affected fans must submit claims that include time-stamped photographic evidence or identification, ticket purchase confirmation, and a declaration affirming their denied access or enjoyment of the facilities. Moreover, claimants must verify that they have not received refunds for the relevant expenses. Detailed instructions for filing claims are available on FinalMatchSettlement.com.
