Colombia Condemns Death Threats against Campaz after 2026 FWC Exit

The Colombian Football Federation has strongly condemned the death threats directed at midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family following the national team's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 elimination.

Colombia's World Cup campaign ended after a penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland. Campaz, who plays for Argentine club Rosario Central, missed a crucial chance during extra time when his effort went narrowly wide before the match was decided on penalties.

Following the defeat, the midfielder was subjected to a wave of abuse and death threats on social media. Campaz subsequently restricted comments on his accounts and, as a precaution, did not travel back to Colombia with the rest of the squad.

In an official statement, the Colombian Football Federation condemned the abuse, stressing that no player or their family should face intimidation for representing their country.

"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 also addressed the incident on Instagram, sharing a message calling for respect despite the disappointment of elimination.

"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," he wrote.

The federation has urged Colombia's Attorney General's Office to accelerate its investigation into the threats, emphasizing that football should remain "a space for unity, respect, and hope, never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence."

The incident has drawn painful comparisons to one of the darkest moments in Colombian football history. Defender Andrés Escobar was murdered in 1994 after scoring an own goal during the World Cup in the United States, a tragedy that continues to serve as a reminder of the consequences of football-related violence.