​The Colombian Football Federation has publicly condemned death threats directed at Jaminton Campaz, a member of the national team, and has urged Colombian authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible. In a World Cup that concluded with Colombia exiting at the round of 16 after losing to Switzerland in a penalty shootout following a scoreless 120 minutes, Campaz’s stand-out moment came in extra time when he intercepted a poor pass from Swiss veteran Granit Xhaka. His left-footed shot in the 115th minute, however, did not find the target. Campaz later redeemed himself by scoring in the ensuing shootout, yet he still found himself facing hostility from some fans back home.
The federation stated, “The Colombian Football Federation denounces in the strongest terms the threats against the life and integrity of Jaminton Campaz and his family, delivered after the match between the national teams of Colombia and Switzerland. No athlete nor any member of their camp should be the object of intimidation for representing the country on a sporting stage.” The Executive Committee emphasized its full solidarity with Campaz, his family, all players of the Colombia national team, and the broader delegation. It also urged the Attorney General of the Nation to expedite investigations aimed at identifying, prosecuting, and sanctioning those responsible for these acts.
Campaz himself issued a message of resilience, acknowledging the collective pain of Colombians who felt frustrated by the elimination but urging a continued commitment to respect. “My Colombia, please let us never abandon respect, even if we think differently or feel disappointment or sadness,” he said. He added that hate and living in fear cannot be justified by frustration.
The 26-year-old winger, who has played for Rosario Central in Argentina, has ties to a notable World Cup record in which he also scored for Colombia in a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and had appeared as a late substitute in the round of 32 win against Ghana. The 2026 World Cup match in Vancouver, where Switzerland defeated Colombia in the round of 16, is a reminder of how quickly a tournament can transition from celebration to controversy, underscoring the need for players to perform under intense scrutiny while remaining protected from threats.
This incident evokes memories of one of the darkest chapters in Colombian sport. In the aftermath of the 1994 World Cup, defender Andres Escobar was shot and killed in Medellín, years after scoring an own goal that contributed to Colombia’s group-stage exit that year, a tragedy that underscored the risks athletes can face amid Colombia’s broader struggles with violence linked to guerrilla groups and the drug trade. The federation’s statement this week—emphasizing soccer as a space of unity, respect, and hope rather than hatred, intimidation, or violence—reflects a long-standing aspiration to keep the sport free from the malignancies that have historically haunted the country.
The federation’s appeal for a swift and thorough investigation, alongside Campaz’s appeal for respect, highlights an ongoing commitment to safeguarding players’ well-being and ensuring that sport remains a forum for national pride rather than intimidation. The hope is that authorities will bring those responsible to account promptly, reinforcing a message that Colombia will not tolerate threats against its athletes and that the country is dedicated to upholding the safety and dignity of those who wear the national jersey.