The Colombian Soccer Federation, 32 years after the murder of Andres Escobar following his 1994 World Cup own goal, condemned death threats made against midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family.
Campaz missed a crucial scoring chance in extra time during Colombia’s Round of 16 loss to Switzerland in a penalty shootout earlier this week.
After the match, the player’s social media accounts were flooded with negative comments and threats. He limited comments on his social media and, as a precaution, did not take the return flight to his home country with his teammates.
“No athlete, nor any member of their camp, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting context,” the federation said.
“The executive committee of the Colombian Football Federation expresses its full solidarity with and support for Jaminton Campaz, his family, all the players in the Colombia national team and the delegation as a whole. It also calls on the Attorney General’s Office to carry out, as swiftly as possible, the necessary investigations to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible for these acts.”
“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope — never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence,” the federation said, calling on fans to ensure sporting disappointments never translate into real-world aggression.”
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On Instagram, Campaz shared a photo of himself covering his face in frustration alongside a plea for respect.
“Football is also made up of difficult moments,” he wrote. “My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may think differently or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear.”
The federation also urged the country’s attorney general’s office to expedite an investigation to identify those responsible for the threats.
Escobar was killed in Medellin days after Colombia’s 2-1 loss to the United States, the host of the 1994 World Cup.
Switzerland will face Argentina for a spot in the World Cup semifinals at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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