BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Colombia’s football federation has asked prosecutors to identify those responsible for threatening Jaminton Campaz after the national team was eliminated from the World Cup.
In a statement issued on Friday, July 10, 2026, the Colombian Football Federation said the threats targeted the safety of Campaz and people close to him. It urged the attorney general’s office to accelerate its investigation.
“No athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena,” the federation said.
Campaz, a Colombian international who plays for Rosario Central in Argentina, addressed the abuse in an Instagram post accompanied by an image of him holding his hands over his face.
“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 threats followed Colombia’s defeat by Switzerland in the World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday.
The match was decided by a penalty shootout after the teams remained level through extra time.
Campaz had an opportunity to score during extra time but directed his attempt wide. Colombia’s elimination prompted hostile messages against the player, according to the federation.
The governing body said criticism of a sporting performance must not become intimidation or violence.
“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope — never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence,” the federation said.
Colombian football has previously experienced deadly violence against a national-team player following a World Cup defeat.
At the 1994 tournament in the United States, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal during Colombia’s 2-1 loss to the host country.
He was killed in Medellín days after the team returned home following its elimination.
