Colombia and Bolivia played a friendly match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford (Connecticut) in preparation for the Copa América 2024 to be held in the United States starting on June 20.
During the match, several children entered the field, starring in an unexpected spectacle. The team led by Néstor Lorenzo faced Bolivia with the aim of maintaining their undefeated record. At the end of the first half, Colombia led 3-0 thanks to goals from Jhon Arias, Jhon Córdoba and Luis Díaz.
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While the 37th minute of the sporting event was passing, a small child burst onto the field, capturing the attention of the players and the public. The minor, wearing the Colombian national team shirt, ran through the Tricolor area until he reached the middle of the playing field.
At the time of the invasion, the official cameras focused on Camilo Vargas, goalkeeper of the Colombian team, who was observing the scene with a smile. The little boy seemed to be looking for Luis Díaz, a prominent Colombian player. Although the broadcast avoided focusing directly on the child, the stadium reacted with applause and chants directed at the minor. James Rodríguez, another of Colombia’s relevant players, was arguing with the main referee, Daniel Quintero, due to a previous play. Meanwhile, the boy was removed from the field and the match resumed without further incident.
This scene was repeated around minute 80, when another child entered the field to hug James Rodríguez, who reciprocated the gesture before the security personnel removed the minor from the field of play.. On the other hand, the journalist Javier Hernández Bonnet, through the transmission of Snail Television, mentioned that the children would not face sanctions for their actions. However, he indicated that the parents would be fined and would have to go to a Police Station to manage said penalty.
Fans who invaded the field were violently thrown to the ground: a child was tackled by several people
This episode, although similar, completely contrasts with the one that occurred on Saturday, June 8, when two Colombian fans invaded the field at the end of the friendly match between Colombia and the United States at FedEx Field in Maryland, which generated controversy on digital platforms. Colombia’s historic victory, which they won with a resounding 5-1, was marred by this fact.
Images of the incident released on social networks show a teenager trying to reach the Colombian National Team players, Jorge Carrascal and Luis Sinisterra. The young man was abruptly intercepted by security personnel, which caused several guards to throw him to the ground. In another sequence, a running boy also tried to approach the players and was violently stopped by a sturdy guard, sparking a wave of mixed reactions online.
Various users on social networks expressed conflicting opinions about the use of force by stadium security personnel. Some comments described the violence exerted on the child as excessive, arguing that it was not necessary to subject him in that way. Others defended the guards’ actions, pointing out the importance of respecting safety rules at events of this type.
The controversy grew because this fact reflects different cultural perceptions about security and law enforcement. While some defended the strict measures taken by security guards in the United States, others criticized what they considered a disproportionate use of force, especially against a minor.
