Copa America final delayed after ticketless fans storm stadium in Miami

Sunday's Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia faced a delay due to pandemonium outside the Hard Rock Stadium.

Reports suggest that hundreds of supporters without tickets tried to barge their way into the venue. To regain control and prevent more chaos, officials closed the gates around Hard Rock Stadium, eventually sealing off all entrances.

Two Liverpool stars started the game: Luis Diaz for Colombia and Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina. In light of the tumultuous events unfolding near the stadium, CONMEBOL, the South American football authority, issued a statement: "We inform that people who do not have tickets will not be able to enter the stadium.

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"Only those who have purchased tickets will be able to enter once access is enabled again. We inform that the match will be delayed 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 p.m. local time."

The postponement was subsequently prolonged by an additional 15 minutes as fans were still making their way into the stadium and to their seats around 8:30. Shortly after, the kick-off time was moved to 9:15.

Miami-Dade Police also released a statement. It read: "We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the Copa America final game. These incidents have been a result of the unruly behaviour of fans trying to access the stadium.

"We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all those attending.

"Unruly behaviour will get you ejected and/or arrested. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE behaviour against unruly conduct from everyone attending."

Footage flooding social media showed fans storming the turnstiles and clambering over fences at Hard Rock Stadium, desperate to make it inside. A number of them succeeded in giving security the slip, bolting across the concourse towards the unoccupied stands.

However, some weren't quick enough to dodge the law's grasp, with various videos depicting hopeful attendees being pursued and apprehended by cops. One such scene unfolded with particularly grim results - a fan, now cuffed and bloodied, sat grounded with crimson streaks colouring his face.

As the clock struck 7:30 p. m. ET - a mere half-hour before kickoff was due - access points around the stadium were shut tight, based on reports from Yahoo Sports.

With entrances sealed, throngs of ticket holders found themselves locked out in the blistering Florida warmth - among them, it's said, were players' relatives, all left lining up without a chance to use their passes to witness the much-anticipated finale.