How long could the Copa America final run?

What has happened?

The start of the Copa America final has been delayed. Chaotic and dangerous scenes have seen thousands of supporters unable to enter the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for the game.

What caused the problems?

Miami-Dade Police Department blamed “unruly behaviour” by fans. CONMEBOL, who organise the Copa America, published a statement which said “only those who have purchased tickets will be able to enter the stadium.”

But thousands of law-abiding fans with tickets were caught up in the problems, which led to a dangerous throng of people stuck outside the ground in searing heat.

What have our reporters at the stadium seen?

Paul Tenorio: “We saw multiple people faint as they got let in, some carried by police over to the medic station, others leaning on each other as they searched for water. Some simply found a spot to sit on the ground and cry or dump water on themselves.”

Jack Lang: “I saw people packed in together in the boiling heat for over an hour. A lot of them were trying to keep cool by using hats as fans. At one point a woman passed out and the crowd tried to make way to let her to the gate.”

Laura Williamson: “I saw numerous people climbing back out over the railings by the southeast gate to try to get out of the huge mass of fans.”

What is the latest?

The game has been delayed until 8:45pm ET. All gates are now open. There are still large groups of people struggling to gain access to the stadium.