Colombia Federation Condemns Death Threats Against Campaz 32 Years After Escobar Killing
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
Colombia Federation Condemns Death Threats Against Campaz 32 Years After Escobar Killing
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
Summary
Jaminton Campaz received death threats after Colombia’s Round of 16 exit, prompting the federation to demand a swift criminal investigation and punishment for those responsible.
Extra time in Vancouver triggered the backlash: Campaz missed a crucial chance before Colombia lost to Switzerland in a penalty shootout, and his social media accounts were then flooded with abuse.
Campaz restricted comments online and skipped the team’s return flight to Colombia as a precaution, later posting a plea for respect and saying no passion justifies hatred or fear.
The federation framed the threats against the backdrop of Andres Escobar’s 1994 murder, warning that football must not turn sporting disappointment into real-world violence.
As fan violence moves from stadiums to social media, has the threat to players actually grown since the 1994 murder of Andres Escobar?
Can new programs punishing online abusers protect athletes, or is the psychological damage already done by the first threat?
Thirty-Two Years After Escobar: Death Threats Against Jáminton Campaz and Colombia’s Ongoing Football Crisis in 2026
Overview
After Colombia's heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Switzerland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, national disappointment quickly turned toxic for midfielder Jáminton Campaz, who missed a crucial chance late in the match. This frustration from fans escalated into a wave of death threats against Campaz and his family, casting a dark shadow over Colombian football and evoking painful memories of Andrés Escobar's 1994 tragedy. The incident highlights how intense emotions and blame can rapidly spiral into real-world danger, showing that, despite the passage of time, the risks for players remain when national pride and sporting disappointment collide.