Colombian midfielder Jaminton Campaz did not return home after Colombia's World Cup elimination due to safety concerns following death threats. The Colombian Soccer Federation condemned the threats and called for an investigation, citing the 1994 murder of Andres Escobar as a grim precedent.
Campaz missed a crucial scoring chance in extra time during Colombia's Round of 16 loss to Switzerland, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat. After the match, he received a flood of death threats and abusive messages on social media. The federation expressed solidarity with Campaz and urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Campaz, who plays for Argentine club Rosario Central, did not board the team's flight back to Colombia. Instead, he remained in the U.S. or possibly traveled to Argentina. He posted an emotional plea on Instagram, urging respect and condemning hatred. The federation emphasized that football should be a space for unity, not violence.
The case has drawn parallels to the 1994 murder of Andres Escobar, who was killed after scoring an own goal in the World Cup. The federation stressed the need to prevent such tragedies from repeating.