​The Colombian Football Federation has condemned the death threats aimed at midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family in the wake of the national team’s exit from the World Cup. Colombia’s campaign ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the round of 16. Campaz, who plays for Rosario Central in Argentina, had a late opportunity to change the course of the game during extra time, but his shot went wide, and the match moved to penalties.
Following the match, Campaz’s social media accounts were inundated with abusive comments and threats. To cope with the abuse, he chose to limit comments on his profiles and, as a precaution, did not join his teammates on the return flight to Colombia. The federation stated that no athlete or member of their inner circle should face intimidation for representing their country in sport.
On Instagram, Campaz posted a photo of himself with his face in his hands, accompanied by a call for respect. He wrote: “Football is also made up of difficult moments. 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.”
In response to the harassment, the federation asked Colombia’s attorney general to expedite an investigation to identify those responsible for the threats. They added that football should be a space of unity, respect, and hope, not a platform for hatred, intimidation, or violence, urging fans to ensure that sporting disappointment does not spill into real-world aggression.
The incident resonates with a painful moment in Colombian soccer history. In the 1994 World Cup in the United States, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in a 2-1 loss to the hosts. Days after the team’s elimination and return home, Escobar was murdered in Medellín. The federation’s stance underscores a desire to avoid repeating such tragedies, reinforcing a message that sport should bring people together rather than incite fear or harm.