Settlement Reached for Fans Affected by Copa América Final Chaos

omidbasir- A settlement has been finalized in the class action lawsuit initiated by fans following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final, which took place between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Due to crowd disturbances ahead of the match, several ticket-holders were unable to enter the venue, while others exited early due to safety concerns. These fans are expected to form the majority of those filing claims for compensation.

The defendants in the lawsuit include CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, which oversees the operation of Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the settlement agreement, the defendants will collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund designated for fans impacted by the crowd-related issues during the final. The exact payout will depend on the volume of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the plaintiffs and class counsel, stated, “This case was about standing up for the fans. Today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team take pride in providing tangible relief to the members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” He further noted the anticipation of presenting the settlement to the Court.

Representatives from Concacaf declined to comment, while Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL also did not respond to requests for comments. Attempts to reach Best Security for a statement were unsuccessful.

The final, which featured Argentina against Colombia, experienced an 82-minute delay due to unauthorized entrants breaching security barriers. Stadium personnel attempted to regain control by locking down the venue. However, as conditions deteriorated and some fans were at risk of being crushed against the gates, the venue reopened to allow entry for some individuals, regardless of ticket possession. Once the stadium reached full capacity, the gates were once again closed, preventing entry for some legitimate ticket-holders.

Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue addressed 120 incidents at the venue, the majority of which were medical in nature.

The settlement outlines two categories for plaintiffs, as revealed in documents reviewed by ESPN. The first category pertains to fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd chaos, eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some fans paid more than $2,000 for tickets on the secondary market, the settlement aims to cover the majority of ticket costs. Fans who paid less than $2,000 may also claim up to $300 for travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed $2,000.

The second category is designated for fans who experienced “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased.” This includes issues related to accessing concessions or merchandise, which were unavailable due to overcrowding, with compensation capped at $100 per person.

Affected fans must file claims, submitting a time-stamped photo or identification, proof of ticket purchase, and an affirmation of either being denied entry or full access to the stadium. They must also confirm they have not received any partial refunds for the claimed expenses.

Detailed instructions for fans wishing to participate in the settlement can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

This report was supplemented by contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.