BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) 鈥� The Colombian soccer federation on Friday condemned death threats directed at midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family following the national team鈥檚 elimination from the .
Colombia鈥檚 tournament ended Tuesday in a loss to Switzerland in the round of 16. During extra time, Campaz 鈥� who plays for Argentine club Rosario Central 鈥� missed a critical scoring opportunity when his shot went wide.
鈥淣o athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena,鈥� the federation said in a statement.
On Instagram, Campaz shared a photo of himself covering his face in frustration, alongside a plea for respect.
鈥淔ootball is also made up of difficult moments,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淢y 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.鈥�
In response to the harassment, the Colombian federation has urged the country鈥檚 attorney general鈥檚 office to expedite an investigation to identify those behind the threats.
鈥淔ootball must be a space for unity, respect, and hope 鈥� never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence,鈥� the federation said, calling on fans to ensure that sporting disappointments never translate into real-world aggression.
The threats evoke a dark chapter in Colombian soccer history. During the 1994 World Cup in the United States, defender scored an own-goal in a 2-1 loss to the host nation. Days after the team was eliminated and returned home, Escobar was murdered in Medell铆n.
___
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
