Colombia football head arrested on battery charge

The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesurún, and his son have been arrested following a brawl at the Copa América final in Miami on Sunday.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, 71-year-old Ramón and his 43-year-old son, Ramón Jamil, were charged with battery involving an official or employee.

The charges stem from an altercation at the stadium after Colombia’s 0-1 loss to Argentina in extra time.

Neither Ramón nor his son has publicly commented on the incident.

In a statement to the BBC, the Miami-Dade Police Department reported that the altercation occurred shortly after the match ended at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The incident began as the Jesurúns were “walking towards the entrance of the field” and became “irate and began shouting” at a security officer who had been instructed to temporarily delay people from proceeding further.

The police stated that the officer placed an open palm on the chest of Ramón’s son to guide him back. Ramón then allegedly pushed the officer, while his son grabbed the officer’s neck, pulled him to the ground, and punched and kicked him in the head.

The son also reportedly grabbed and pushed a female official who tried to intervene and punched a security manager.

Mr Ramón, his son and other family members are believed to have been trying to go on the pitch to take part in the awards ceremony.

The Colombian Football Federation made no immediate comment on the issue.

The start of the final of the Americas’ most prestigious football tournament was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way into Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Several arrests were made after clashes with police and security personnel, while several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

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