Connect with us

Sports

Colombia soccer president Ramón Jesurún arrested after allegedly fighting security at Copa América final

Published

on

Colombia soccer president Ramón Jesurún arrested after allegedly fighting security at Copa América final

Ramón Jesurún, the president of the Colombian Football Federation, was arrested Sunday night during a chaotic Copa América final between Colombia and Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium.

Jesurún, who also serves as the vice president of CONMEBOL, the governing body for Copa América, is facing three felony counts of battery on a specified official or employee after being accused of fighting security guards at the stadium, per Miami-Dade Police Department’s arrest report of the incident. 

The incident also involved his son, 43-year-old Ramón Jamil Jesurún. 

Ramon Jesurun, president of Colombia’s Federation of Football ‘FCF’ during the Colombia Vs USA Womens U20 friendly preparatory match in Bogota, Colombia’s El Campin Stadium for the 2024 U20 Womens Wold Cup, on February 25, 2024. (Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Jesurún, 71, is also a member of the FIFA council. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 4:15 a.m. on Monday, per jail records. 

The arrest report states that the father-son duo fought security guards holding people back from a tunnel where the media were gathering following the 1-0 Colombia loss to Argentina in the Copa América final. This occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Monday.

COPA AMÉRICA CHAOS ‘SHOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN PLACE,’ MIAMI-DADE OFFICIALS SAY

Police say they were “irate” and started “shouting” at a guard, who placed his hand on the younger Jesurún’s chest to “guide him back.” That’s when things got physical, as the elder Jesurún allegedly stepped forward and pushed the guard. 

Then, the younger Jesurún is accused of grabbing the guard’s neck and punching him, according to the report. 

Advertisement

They were expected to appear in Miami court Monday afternoon following their arrests. 

This chaotic scene at the end of the match came after pure pandemonium took place beforehand, as several fans rushed past security and stadium attendants without tickets and sprinted toward seats, which delayed the start of the match for more than an hour. 

Miami-Dad County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Chief Public Safety Officer James Reyes criticized the situation. 

Policemen talk with fans outside the stadium prior to the Copa America final soccer match between Argentina and Colombia  in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, July 14, 2024.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“Our top priority must be the safety and security of all our residents and visitors, and we urge everyone in attendance at tonight’s game to abide by all directives from law enforcement and security personnel for the safety of all attendees,” they said, adding that more than 550 officers were assigned to the stadium along with more personnel brought out of Miami-Dade Police’s jurisdiction to help. 

Advertisement

“Let’s be clear: The situation should never have taken place and cannot happen again. We will work with stadium leadership to ensure that a full review of tonight’s events takes place immediately to evaluate the full chain of events, in order to put in place needed protocols and policies and all future games.”

ARGENTINA SHOW THEY’RE PREPARED FOR LIFE WITHOUT LIONEL MESSI IN COPA AMÉRICA FINAL

Not only did a stampede happen that displaced children from parents and injured some in the process, Hard Rock Stadium saw destruction as well. Videos showed fans completely destroying an escalator leading to the ’72 Club,’ while others attempted to enter the stadium through airducts. 

The chaos that ensued at Hard Rock Stadium led one fan caught up in the mess to believe at least Miami isn’t prepared for the 2026 World Cup.

“They can’t organize a World Cup! It’s impossible,” a fan named Claudia told The Associated Press in Spanish. “People stuck against the gate for hours, unable to breathe. There was a senior citizen, look at him, look at him (motioning at his young son), left without water. No water, nothing.”

Advertisement

“It is tough to explain what happened before the game,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni added through an interpreter. “We had players waiting for their family members to get into the stadium, waiting for an hour. We had to start a match without knowing where our family members were. I think the players for Colombia were going through the same thing. It was very weird.”

Hard Rock Stadium issued a statement as well, noting the many ticket holders who didn’t get to experience the match despite paying thousands for seats. 

“We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns,” the stadium added. “Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff, and that will always remain our priority.

Ramon Jesurun, president of Colombia’s Federation of Football ‘FCF’ during the Colombia Vs USA Womens U20 friendly preparatory match in Bogota, Colombia’s El Campin Stadium for the 2024 U20 Womens Wold Cup, on February 25, 2024. (Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Advertisement

“We will continue to work with law enforcement to identify and hold criminals accountable who engaged in illegal conduct tonight. It is disappointing that a night of celebration was impacted by unlawful and unsafe behavior, and we will fully review the processes and protocols in place tonight and work with law enforcement to ensure such an event never happens again.”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sports

Ole Miss staffer references Aaron Hernandez while discussing ‘chaotic’ coaching complications with LSU

Published

on

Ole Miss staffer references Aaron Hernandez while discussing ‘chaotic’ coaching complications with LSU

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The chaos between LSU coaches who left Ole Miss alongside Lane Kiffin but are still coaching the Rebels in the College Football Playoff is certainly a whirlwind.

Joe Judge, Ole Miss’ quarterbacks coach, has found himself in the thick of the drama — while he is not headed for Baton Rouge, he’s had to wonder who he will be working with on a weekly basis.

When asked this week about what it’s like to go through all the trials and tribulations, Judge turned heads with his answer that evoked his New England Patriots days.

 

Advertisement

Aaron Hernandez sits in the courtroom of the Attleboro District Court during his hearing. Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Odin Lloyd in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, on Aug. 22, 2013. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

“My next-door neighbor was Aaron Hernandez,” Judge said, according to CBS Sports. “I know this is still more chaotic.”

Hernandez was found guilty of the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, which occurred just three years into his NFL career.

“If you watch those documentaries, my house is on the TV next door,” Judge added. “The detectives knocked on my door to find out where he was. I didn’t know. We just kind of talked to the organization. But it was obviously chaotic.”

Aaron Hernandez was convicted of the 2013 murder of semipro football player Odin Lloyd. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Advertisement

FROM MR IRRELEVANT TO GENERATIONAL WEALTH, BROCK PURDY WANTS TO USE HIS LIFESTYLE FOR GOOD

Judge, though, was able to compare the two situations to see how players can combat wild distractions.

“Those players that year handled that extremely well. Came out of that chaos, and we had some really good direction inside with some veterans and some different guys. You have something like that happen — how do you handle something like that? How do you deal with something like that? So you keep the focus on what you can handle, what you can control, which at that time was football for us, and we went through the stretch, and we were able to have success that year,” Judge said.

Judge also compared this scenario to the 2020 NFL season when he was head coach of the New York Giants, saying he would have “no idea” who would be available due to surprise positive COVID-19 tests.

Head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. The game took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The Rebels face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, the College Football Playoff Semifinal, on Thursday night.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Prep talk: Calabasas basketball team is surging with 11 wins in last 12 games

Published

on

Prep talk: Calabasas basketball team is surging with 11 wins in last 12 games

Calabasas pulled off a huge win in high school basketball on Tuesday night, handing Thousand Oaks its first defeat after 16 victories in a Marmonte League opener.

The Coyotes (13-5) have quietly turned around their season after a 2-4 start, winning 11 of their last 12 games.

One of the major contributors has been 6-foot-3 junior guard Johnny Thyfault, who’s averaging 16 points and has become a fan favorite because of his dunking skills. He also leads the team in taking charging fouls.

He transferred to Calabasas after his freshman year at Viewpoint.

As for beating Thousand Oaks, coach Jon Palarz said, “We got to play them at home and had great effort.”

Advertisement

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Continue Reading

Sports

Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports

Published

on

Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.

The Hawks will reportedly be receiving veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal. 

Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to get the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.   ( Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who sit at 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.

There is a mutual connection in Washington, too, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.

It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was taken in that draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went the furthest in 2021, where they made the Eastern Conference Finals.

LEBRON JAMES DECLARES HIMSELF ‘TBD’ FOR BACK-TO-BACK GAMES FOR REST OF SEASON: ‘I’M 41′

Advertisement

However, the new era was brewing already in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The pickup of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he’s averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.

Meanwhile, Young has played just 10 games this season, as he’s been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a right MCL sprain.

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on after the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Hawks also get some flexibility on their books, as they could make some more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.

Young has $95 million remaining on his deal that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.

Advertisement

Atlanta will be taking on McCollum’s contract, though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million expiring deal.

Through his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.5% from the field.

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 per contest.

Advertisement

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending