Two YouTubers are potentially facing a five-year prison sentence after allegedly bypassing multiple layers of security at the Colombia-Portugal World Cup match in Miami, authorities reported.
Argentinian content creators Beni Marmol, 20, and Pato Perrotta, 26, were among 16 individuals detained at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday during the final Group K match.
Marmol and Perrotta, both boasting hundreds of thousands of YouTube followers, allegedly circumvented three security checkpoints using expired credentials, as stated by the Miami-Dade Sheriffs to WPLG.
Upon questioning, Marmol reportedly explained to officers that he was an influencer attempting to stream the game. Meanwhile, Perrotta claimed he was hired by a media company to review the event and that his credentials were from a prior event, according to the arrest report.
Both individuals are charged with felonies for illegally interfering with a sporting event, which could result in a prison term of up to five years.
The influencers’ manager, Walter Costabel, has addressed the situation, stating that “the guys are fine” and “they’re not being deported,” as reported by Argentine outlet Todo Noticias.
“They simply cannot be near the stadiums where the World Cup matches are being played,” he added.
Perrotta and Marmol, known for content ranging from luxury shopping sprees to 24-hour challenges, have amassed large followings, with Perrotta having over 500,000 subscribers and Marmol over 270,000.
Following incidents at the 2024 Copa America final, where 27 people were arrested and 55 ejected, Florida officials have intensified efforts to combat unauthorized access to sports events.
It is now considered a third-degree felony to unlawfully enter events with more than 5,000 attendees.
The game saw a packed audience of 64,478 and over five million ticket requests. Law enforcement carried out 17 ejections during the event.
Most attendees paid $1,000 or more for tickets, eager to witness Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, possibly making one of his final appearances on the international stage.
The demand for tickets significantly outpaced supply, with prices ranging from $2,676 to $22,084 on StubHub the day before the match.
Despite the anticipation, the match concluded in a 0-0 draw, resulting in Colombia finishing ahead of Portugal in Group K.
Portugal is set to face Croatia in the round of 32 in Toronto on Thursday, while Colombia will compete against Ghana in Kansas City on Friday.
With Post wires.
