Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesulun was arrested amid unrest surrounding the Copa America final in Miami on Sunday. He has been charged with three felony counts of assault on certain officers or employees, according to Miami ABC affiliate WPLG.
The incident in question appears to have happened during the final, when Jeslun's Colombian team lost 1-0 to Argentina. The match was plagued with problems at Hard Rock Stadium in the hours before kickoff, when ticketless fans breached security and filled the stands, then continued to crowd as ticketed patrons arrived. The start of the match was delayed by more than an hour as officials tried to contain the situation.
Jesulun's son, Ramon Jamil Jesulun, was arrested shortly after on the same charges. According to a Miami-Dade Police arrest report, Jesulun and his son struggled with multiple security guards after the match ended at approximately 12:20 a.m. ET.
WPLG reports, “Police say the father and son became 'enraged' at the guard and 'began yelling' at him. The argument escalated into violence after the guard 'yelled in (the guard's) face,' demanded the men stand down and placed his hand on Jesron's chest, ordering him to 'pull back,' according to the arrest report.”
“Police say this caused Jesuran's brother to step forward and push the security guard, after which his son grabbed the guard around the neck and punched him. The security guard was later hospitalized at Jackson North Medical Center in North Miami Beach, according to the arrest report.”
They also fought with other security guards who tried to stop the brawl.
Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesulun and his 43-year-old son were arrested after Colombia's loss to Argentina. Jesulun, who is also CONMEBOL vice-president, missed the awards ceremony after an alleged altercation with a staff member. It was a turbulent night right until the very end.pic.twitter.com/PCxFudIQMq
— Men In Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 15, 2024
The final stages of the 2024 Copa America have been turbulent and chaotic, and this incident has only added to the frenzy surrounding the tournament.
