After last-16 exit! Death threats stop World Cup star going home

After last-16 exit! Death threats stop World Cup star going home Colombia’s dramatic Round of 16 exit at the World Cup has had shocking consequences. Following the defeat against Switzerland, striker Jaminton Campaz has become the target of fierce abuse. Because he and his family were heavily threatened online, the professional player has postponed his return home for the time being for security reasons. Colombia ultimately lost to Switzerland 3–4 on penalties. Although Campaz confidently converted his own spot kick, many fans blamed him for the team’s elimination. The reason lies in the second half of extra time: After a serious mistake by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka, Campaz found himself one-on-one with BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The striker missed this huge chance to put his team ahead. Because of the death threats that followed, Campaz did not even begin the journey back to the Colombian capital, Bogotá. The current situation brings back dark memories in Colombia of the 1994 World Cup: back then, defender Andrés Escobar was murdered after returning to Medellín following a costly own goal against the United States. Campaz himself spoke out on Instagram two days after the elimination and called for calm: “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 a life lived in fear.” The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) has now also commented on the incidents. Alongside demanding a swift investigation in order to bring those responsible to justice, the federation took an unmistakably clear stance in an official statement: “No athlete and no member of their immediate circle should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country on the sporting stage. Football must be a place of unity, respect, and hope—never a stage for hatred, intimidation, or violence.” This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.