Ramon Jesurun, the president of the Colombian Football Federation and vice president of CONMEBOL, along with his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were arrested by Miami-Dade police early Monday morning. The arrests stem from an altercation with security guards near a media tunnel at Hard Rock Stadium, as detailed in an arrest affidavit. It was seen that security before the final was also breached.
The incident unfolded shortly after Argentina secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. According to the affidavit, the Jesuruns attempted to access an area of the tunnel reserved for media when they were stopped by a security officer. What started as a verbal confrontation quickly escalated into a physical altercation when Ramon Jamil Jesurun allegedly grabbed the officer around the neck and pulled him to the ground. The affidavit further states that he proceeded to strike the officer with punches and a direct kick to the head while the officer was on the ground.
Both Ramon Jesurun, 71, and Ramon Jamil Jesurun, 43, were subsequently booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 4:15 a.m. on Monday, mere hours after the conclusion of the match. They face charges of three counts of felony battery on an official, highlighting the severity of the incident.
The chaos at the Copa America final was not confined to the stadium’s events alone. Prior to kick-off, thousands of supporters faced disorder outside Hard Rock Stadium, attempting to gain entry without tickets. This prompted the closure of security gates and multiple delays in the match’s start time, initially scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET and later pushed to 9:22 p.m. ET.
The arrest of Ramon Jesurun, a prominent figure in South American football and a member of FIFA’s Council since 2016, marks a significant development in the aftermath of the final. The Colombian Football Federation, however, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The Jesuruns’ arrests come amidst scrutiny and speculation surrounding the events that marred what was meant to be a celebration of South American football excellence. As the legal proceedings unfold, the repercussions for both individuals involved and the broader football community remain to be seen.
