BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – The Colombian soccer federation on Friday condemned death threats against midfielder Jamington Campas and his family following the national team’s loss. world cup.
Colombia’s tournament ended on Tuesday penalty shootout During extra time, Campas, who plays for Argentine club Rosario Central, missed a crucial scoring opportunity when his shot went off target.
After the match, the player’s social media accounts were flooded with negative comments and threats. He decided to limit his comments on social media and did not board the flight back to his home country with his teammates as a precaution.
“No athlete, nor any member of his or her inner circle, should be intimidated for representing their country on the sporting stage,” the federation said in a statement.
Campas shared a photo on Instagram of himself covering his face in frustration, pleading for respect.
“There are difficult moments in football,” he wrote. “Dear Colombians, please remember that we are respectful. We may think differently, we may feel dissatisfied and sad, but no passion justifies living in hatred and fear.”
The harassment prompted the Colombian federation to call on the country’s attorney general’s office to expedite an investigation to identify those behind the threats.
“Football must be a place of unity, respect and hope. It must never be a place of hatred, intimidation and violence,” the federation said, calling on fans to never allow disappointment in sport to turn into real-world aggression.
This threat sparked a dark chapter in the history of Colombian soccer. Defender during the 1994 World Cup in the USA andres escobar They scored an own goal against the host nation and lost 2-1. A few days after his team was defeated and returned home, Escobar was murdered in Medellin.
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