As one Twitter user put it, the on-field security at this year’s Copa America has been #awful.
During both semifinals, a fan has disrupted play by running onto the field. The most recent example came during Wednesday’s match between Chile and Colombia at Soldier Field in Chicago, when a fan made it to midfield before security was able to even get near him.
As the video shows, the fan enters the shot with no security guard in sight. Thankfully for security, the grass at Soldier Field was completely soaked, causing this fan to slip a number of times during his run on the field in addition to security slipping as well. But despite his setbacks, the fan is able to almost go from one side of the field to the other before being apprehended by security.
The first instance of this disruption came during Tuesday’s match between the U.S. and Argentina at NRG Stadium in Houston. Right before the second half kicked off, a fan ran on the field to bow to Lionel Messi. After bowing and giving Messi a hug, as well as receiving an autograph, the fan was able to run one half of the field without security even getting close to him.
With other big-time tournaments such as Euro 2016 and Wimbledon stepping up its security force this year, the U.S. might want to consider some better security practices ahead of the Sunday’s Final, starting with someone who can catch one of these fans running onto the field.