Perhaps it just came down to a simple sports culture misunderstanding, but at last night’s Copa America match between Argentina and Chile at Levi’s stadium in Santa Clara a fan caught a soccer ball that went out of bounds and refused to return it to the field.

When a soccer game ball goes into stands, it is customary to return the ball. It is even a written policy in some leagues. MLS’s Fan Code of Conduct expects fans to: “…promptly and carefully return the ball to a stadium staff member or the ball kid on the sidelines in the event that a soccer ball enters the stands.”

Late in the second half, Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo booted a clearance into the stands. A fan wearing a blue sweatshirt caught the ball. He then sat down and hid the ball from view.









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Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 1of/18 Caption Close Image 2 of 18 The fan grabbed the ball away from several other fans who tried to catch it. The fan grabbed the ball away from several other fans who tried to catch it. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 3 of 18 The fan was quite excited about catching the ball. The fan was quite excited about catching the ball. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 4 of 18 Much to his delight. Much to his delight. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 5 of 18 Image 6 of 18 The fan quickly sat down and placed the ball below his seat and out of view. The fan quickly sat down and placed the ball below his seat and out of view. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 7 of 18 The ball kid on the field attempted to retrieve the ball, but was ignored by the fan in the blue sweatshirt. The ball kid on the field attempted to retrieve the ball, but was ignored by the fan in the blue sweatshirt. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 8 of 18 The ball kid then asked security to ask for the ball, but they were also ignored. The ball kid then asked security to ask for the ball, but they were also ignored. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 9 of 18 An official (far left in blue jacket) attempted to get the attention of the fan but was ignored. An official (far left in blue jacket) attempted to get the attention of the fan but was ignored. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 10 of 18 Image 11 of 18 Other officials also attempted to get the attention of the fan. Other officials also attempted to get the attention of the fan. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 12 of 18 The fan in the blue sweatshirt ignored them. The fan in the blue sweatshirt ignored them. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 13 of 18 Finally a security guard caught the attention of the fan next to the man in the blue sweatshirt. Finally a security guard caught the attention of the fan next to the man in the blue sweatshirt. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 14 of 18 He held up his hands to show he did not have the soccer ball. He held up his hands to show he did not have the soccer ball. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 15 of 18 Image 16 of 18 Then the fan with the blue sweatshirt held up his hands to show he was not holding the soccer ball either. Then the fan with the blue sweatshirt held up his hands to show he was not holding the soccer ball either. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 17 of 18 At the end of the game the fans walked out of the stadium. The soccer ball never returned to the field of play. At the end of the game the fans walked out of the stadium. The soccer ball never returned to the field of play. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Photo: Douglas Zimmerman / ISIPhotos.com Image 18 of 18 Fan refuses to return soccer ball at Copa America game 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

The fan ignored the request of the ball kid to return the ball. He then ignored similar requests from security and stadium officials. Finally, the fan acknowledged the inquiries but claimed ignorance by holding up his empty hands in the air.

Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt. He could be confused by the longtime baseball tradition of fans being able to keep a ball hit into the stands. Or maybe he just wanted an official Copa America soccer ball. After all, he wouldn’t be the first fan to try and keep a soccer ball hit into the crowd.

One thing was clear as the game ended and the fans walked out of the stadium: the soccer ball never returned to the field of play.









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Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images Image 1of/15 Caption Close Image 2 of 15 Supporters of Argentina wait for the start of the Copa America Centenario football tournament match against Chile in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Supporters of Argentina wait for the start of the Copa America Centenario football tournament match against Chile in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images Image 3 of 15 A couple holding a flag of Chile kiss before the start of a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, June 6, 2016. A couple holding a flag of Chile kiss before the start of a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, June 6, 2016. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 4 of 15 Argentina's Lionel Messi (center) smiles from the bench during a Copa America Centenario football match against Chile in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Argentina's Lionel Messi (center) smiles from the bench during a Copa America Centenario football match against Chile in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images Image 5 of 15 Image 6 of 15 Argentinas Gonzalo Higuain, center, celebrates the goal against Chile by teammate Ever Banega, not in picture, during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, June 6, 2016. Argentina defeated Chile 2-1. At right is Chiles goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. less Argentinas Gonzalo Higuain, center, celebrates the goal against Chile by teammate Ever Banega, not in picture, during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 7 of 15 Chile's Jose Fuenzalida (top, R) heads the ball to score against Argentina's Sergio Romero (2-L) during a Copa America Centenario football match in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. less Chile's Jose Fuenzalida (top, R) heads the ball to score against Argentina's Sergio Romero (2-L) during a Copa America Centenario football match in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, ... more Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images Image 8 of 15 Fans cheer for Argentina before the start of a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, June 6, 2016. Fans cheer for Argentina before the start of a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, June 6, 2016. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 9 of 15 Argentina fans cheer before a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday June 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Argentina fans cheer before a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Argentina and Chile at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday June 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Image 10 of 15 Image 11 of 15 Argentina's Ever Banega (L) vies for the ball with Chile's Marcelo Diaz during a Copa America Centenario football match in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Argentina's Ever Banega (L) vies for the ball with Chile's Marcelo Diaz during a Copa America Centenario football match in Santa Clara, California, United States, on June 6, 2016. Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images Image 12 of 15 Argentinas Nicolas Gaitan, left, and Chiles Mauricio Isla fight for the ball during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday June 6, 2016. Argentinas Nicolas Gaitan, left, and Chiles Mauricio Isla fight for the ball during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday June 6, 2016. Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Image 13 of 15 Referee Daniel Fedorczuk, from Uruguay, right, looks at Chiles Arturo Vidal during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Chile and Argentina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday June 6, 2016. less Referee Daniel Fedorczuk, from Uruguay, right, looks at Chiles Arturo Vidal during a Copa America Centenario Group A soccer match between Chile and Argentina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday ... more Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Image 14 of 15 Two fans looks on from the stands prior to the start of the game during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group match play between Argentina and Chile at Levi's Stadium on June 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. less Two fans looks on from the stands prior to the start of the game during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group match play between Argentina and Chile at Levi's Stadium on June 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, ... more Photo: Thearon W. Henderson Image 15 of 15 Fan refuses to return soccer ball at Copa America game 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

As for the game of the field, Argentina defeated Chile 2-1.