Several Hospitalized After LA Soccer Watch Party Turns Into A Drunken Brawl: PD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Multiple people were hospitalized in a drunken brawl that broke out in the aftermath of Colombia's loss to Argentina in the Copa América soccer final Sunday night.

The violence came after a large watch party for the match, which was held in a parking lot got near a Colombian restaurant at Union Avenue and James M. Wood Boulevard in Westlake. Video from the scene showed hundreds of fans, including families, in what appeared to be a joyous gathering, KTLA reported.

The violence broke out after the match was over, KTLA reported.

“We got here, and the game had just finished up…there were a lot of festivities, joy and people having a good time,” one witness told KTLA. “That great time turned into a lot of drinking and that drinking turned into violence…next thing you know, they are closing the gates.”

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call about a "large group of people fighting" on Union Avenue at 7:32 p.m. Sunday.

Two people were transported to local hospitals for treatment of unspecified injuries. Police said they were unsure if the people were attacked or injured in the crowd, according to the LAPD.

The brawl involved people throwing bottles. At least one person was stabbed, KTLA reported.

When officers first arrived they requested additional held being of the size of the brawl, estimated to have involved at least 200 people, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Footage from the scene shows officers in riot gear blocking off the area and dispersing the crowd.

The start of the soccer final was delayed for over an hour after fans breached the gates of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where the Match was being held.

City News Service contributed to this report.