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Colombian Fans’ Behavior Was Disappointing at the Copa America Final — As a Colombian, I Can Say This

Screenshot from TV Azteca Deportes

By now, everyone has seen footage of the chaos that engulfed the Copa América final. Fans barging through the Southeast gate of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida inundated everyone’s social media feeds. Meanwhile, the world watched as the Latin American capital of the United States turned into a pseudo-apocalypse. And as a Colombian, I’m mortified this all transpired in what should’ve been one of the greatest days for fútbol this year.  

The air felt different yesterday. Its essence was composed of excitement, freshly ironed jerseys, and greasy, Latin food. Also, the streets weren’t as congested as they usually are and those who were out, like me, were getting ready to make their way to watch the game. I wonder if this is how Ancient Romans felt when they were getting ready to watch gladiators fight.  

Thanks to my line of work, I had the opportunity to head into the stadium and breathe the same air as some of my favorite Colombians such as James Rodriguez, Santiago Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Camilo Vargas, Shakira, Karol G, and well, everyone that was representing my country – my heart’s home. The stage was set, and all die-hard fans were ready to celebrate. Though not everyone got the chance to be present in the Hard Rock Stadium, several Latin-owned venues were hosting lavish watch parties that were packed to their maximum capacity. Reservations for these places were filled up days prior to game day. That should’ve been indication of how significant this day was going to be for Colombian and Argentine fans.  

What Fútbol Means to Colombians

Not to generalize the Latino community, but it goes without saying how passionate we are, especially when it comes to showing off pride for our Latin American country. And fútbol allows us to show the world how deep this passion runs through our veins. This is particularly true for Colombians.  

Fútbol is probably one of the first words Colombians learn how to say. In Colombia, almost every neighborhood is beautifully adorned with a soccer field. Some of these soccer fields are not lavish, but they count with two soccer goal posts, and someone is always up to share their soccer ball. For those who don’t have access to one of these “canchas,” they play soccer in whatever grassy field they can find – and it’s as joyous as being in a large stadium. Whether you are a boy or a girl, you are also taught how to maneuver a soccer ball – it’s almost a rite of passage. Even though I never excelled at the sport, I remember my uncles teaching me how to pass the ball, do tricks with it, and the terminology when I was a child. It was a bonding moment I will never forget. Then, as I got older, I remember fútbol being one of the moments that united my disjointed family. It was almost blissful. For Colombians, fútbol matches are known to bring laughter, tears, and screams. And it’s not that way just for me, this is the case for most Colombian households.  

Neighbors and families share food during these matches. In Colombia, it is common for people to take their TVs and stereos outside so they can celebrate with everyone around them. It becomes a large party. Doesn’t this sound beautiful? This is the fútbol culture I love. However, there is a sour side to it. Some Colombian fans don’t know how to handle themselves. Some become violent (have you ever heard of Andrés Escobar?), irrational, and plain embarrassing. It’s so disappointing when this happens because it gives Colombians a bad name – and this is exactly what happened during the Copa América final.  

My People?

The videos circulating about the Copa América final are terrible. There is no other way to say it. But being there in person made it so much worse. I saw with my own eyes how my people were acting, and it was embarrassing.  

Colombian fans were climbing fences when I arrived at the Hard Rock Stadium, and some urged me to join them (without them knowing me). I quickly ushered away because I believe in doing things the right way. After all, lo que empieza mal, termina mal. The forceful stampede everyone saw online happened less than 15 minutes before I got to the stadium, so I stepped into fresh madness.  

When I reached my gate, I asked the security if he could guide me to the nearest entrance and his answer was not the kindest: “We had to close down gates because YOUR people don’t know how to act.” I thanked him and continued to walk through a swarm of yellow and light blue shirts hoping to reach an open gate. But the words “your people,” kept floating to the top of my mind. 

My people? The ones that are usually known as cheerful, friendly, party-lovers, and family-oriented? Those people? 

It hurts more because Colombians were finally getting “good marketing.” Let’s be real, in the United States Colombians have been likened to criminals and drug traffickers thanks to the dark era that Escobar brought about. For years, Colombians – and other Latinos – have been trying to prove to those in the United States that we are good people. Yet, this behavior does us no justice.  

Needless to say, I wasn’t able to get into the stadium because of safety concerns. As this news was being delivered to me, I couldn’t believe how Colombians were screwing over their own due to their selfishness. I’m not going to lie, this type of behavior is common in Latin American countries, but it’s time these people understand that rules do exist outside of our birthplaces.  

It Wasn’t All Colombian Fans, But It Was Too Many

I’m shocked that Colombians would ever act this way though. Most of us are raised in strict households where being polite and courteous are the top values every Colombian is taught to follow. So, what happened? 

I don’t even know what to say at this point. For the Colombian fans who rushed in without tickets, here is a little cantaleta – because someone has to tell you.  

Hinchas colombianos, ¿que les pasó? Ustedes actuaron como animales ayer y eso da mucha vergüenza. Ojalá algún día puedan reflexionar cuan asqueroso fue el comportamiento de ustedes durante este final. 

I’m usually pro everything and anyone Colombian, but I am so disgusted at what I saw yesterday. I do hope justice prevails and that these hoodlums (there’s nothing else to call them at this point) are punished appropriately.  

I don’t care how much you wanted to be there. Other people, who actually had tickets, wanted to be there too. Some even spent their life savings to give themselves this experience.  

I wanted to be there too. It would’ve been a dream come true and it was destroyed in the blink of an eye. 

What Needs to Happen Next?

Of course, it’s not to say that CONMEBOL doesn’t have a hand in all of this. It is evident that they didn’t do enough research on the Colombian and Argentine fanbase. They needed more security, like what other sporting events do. It’s beyond me why this was so unorganized, but at least this can be a learning opportunity for the CONMEBOL organizers. 

At this point, I hope all Latinos use what happened as what NOT to do during a sporting event. It doesn’t matter how excited you are. It’s just not worth it.  

As for the behavior the Colombian fans portrayed yesterday, do better next time. 

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