Copa América 2024: Federal class action lawsuit seeks refunds on behalf of ticketed fans who weren’t allowed into final

CNN
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A federal class action lawsuit was filed Friday on behalf of ticket buyers who were not allowed entry. Copa America Final On Sunday, a game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was canceled after “thousands of ticketless fans” breached security, forcing the stadium gates to be closed.

The lawsuit names as defendants Hard Rock Stadium, international soccer bodies the South American Football Confederation and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football, and security company Best Crowd Management.

Estimation 65,300 tickets It was on sale for Sunday’s Argentina vs Colombia match.

The game was postponed for more than an hour after fans without tickets were forcibly barred from entering the stadium. I was trying to get into the stadium.Following the security breach, the decision was made to “re-open the stadium’s gates for a short period of time to allow entry to all spectators and to prevent any serious incidents of spectators being crushed around the perimeter of the stadium,” a stadium spokesman said at the time, noting “serious concerns that fans attempting to gain entry could be crushed.”

The lawsuit alleges the defendants “failed to implement an adequate and reasonable security and safety plan,” including failing to hire enough security guards, failing to predict the size of “non-ticketed attendees” and failing to set up a perimeter to check tickets.

“The scenes broadcast on television and social media were shocking – fans covered in blood, parents protecting their children from criminal activity, violence between fans, stadium staff and local police,” the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants should have foreseen the chaos that occurred but ignored their duty to protect ticket holders.

Lead plaintiff Das Nobel said he paid about $10,000 for four tickets and another $15,000 for travel and lodging. He claims no one scanned his tickets when he arrived at the stadium. He found the southeast gate closed and locked, according to the lawsuit.

Noble said he and his family waited hours to get into the stadium before returning to their hotel. While they waited, he “witnessed dozens of fans climbing on storefronts, breaking into the stadium, scaling fences and throwing backpacks,” according to the lawsuit. Noble claims he was not allowed into the stadium to watch the game.

“Hard Rock Stadium was responsible for implementing the security plan negotiated with CONMEBOL and CONCACAF and for enforcing protocols designed for the safety of fans. Hard Rock Stadium hired BEST Security for additional assistance,” the lawsuit states.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Said Monday’s announcement said they would “defer to the decision of the Hard Rock Stadium authorities” and that no specific procedures were “considered.”

In response, Hard Rock Stadium said in a statement that it “implemented and, in many cases, exceeded CONMEBOL’s security recommendations throughout the tournament and final.”

The lawsuit seeks a full refund of ticket prices, interest and reimbursement for travel expenses for people who paid to enter the stadium but were denied entry. The lawsuit targets people who purchased tickets but were not allowed to attend the game at the stadium.

The complaint does not seek damages related to any personal injuries.

Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL separately told CNN they could not comment on the litigation.

Asked about refunds for ticket holders who were denied entry to the stadium, a stadium official told CNN on Friday: “Fans who purchased tickets in the primary market and have been denied entry to the game are encouraged to contact Ticketmaster to request a refund. Ticketmaster will receive the claim and guide the customer through next steps. Fans who purchased tickets in the secondary market should request a refund directly from their point of purchase.”

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) told CNN that it was “not appropriate to comment on legal matters.”

CNN has reached out to Best Crowd Management for comment.

A separate lawsuit was filed Monday by ticket holder Jacqueline Martinez.

Martinez said she bought four tickets worth more than $4,000 to watch the game with her family, but was unable to get into the stadium because of overcrowding. She is seeking $50,000 in damages for expenses and emotional distress, according to the lawsuit.