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The Colombian football association has condemned death threats against national team player Jaminton Campaz and his family following the South Americans' World Cup exit.
Campaz missed the chance to score the winning goal in extra time in the round-of-16 defeat on penalties against Switzerland. Portal One Football reported that the 25-year-old striker has decided not to return to his home country for the time being for security reasons.
The association said in a statement on Friday: "No athlete and no member of his closest circle should be exposed to intimidation just because he represents his country in sport."
Colombia is particularly sensitive to such threats. During the 1994 World Cup, also in the US, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in the 2-1 loss to the host nation.
Days after the team were knocked out and had returned home, Escobar was murdered in Medellín. The killing caused worldwide horror.
The association called on the country's attorney general's office to step up investigations to identify those behind the threats against Campaz.
Campaz, who is under contract with Argentina's Rosario Central, wrote on social media: "Football also includes difficult moments. My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may have different opinions or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or a life in fear."
Continue reading...
Campaz missed the chance to score the winning goal in extra time in the round-of-16 defeat on penalties against Switzerland. Portal One Football reported that the 25-year-old striker has decided not to return to his home country for the time being for security reasons.
The association said in a statement on Friday: "No athlete and no member of his closest circle should be exposed to intimidation just because he represents his country in sport."
Colombia is particularly sensitive to such threats. During the 1994 World Cup, also in the US, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in the 2-1 loss to the host nation.
Days after the team were knocked out and had returned home, Escobar was murdered in Medellín. The killing caused worldwide horror.
The association called on the country's attorney general's office to step up investigations to identify those behind the threats against Campaz.
Campaz, who is under contract with Argentina's Rosario Central, wrote on social media: "Football also includes difficult moments. My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may have different opinions or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or a life in fear."
Continue reading...
