Colombia Midfielder Receives Death Threats After World Cup Elimination
Retold by Oddsrama · 13 July 2026
Colombia midfielder Jáminton Campaz has become the target of death threats directed at him and his family after the South American side crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Rosario Central player's nightmare began following Tuesday's round-of-16 penalty shootout loss to Switzerland, where he squandered a crucial chance during extra time when his attempt sailed wide of goal. What followed was a brutal social media onslaught — his accounts flooded with abusive messages and threats that forced him to disable comments and skip the flight home with his teammates as a safety precaution.
Campaz has since appealed for humanity and respect in the face of the harassment. On Instagram, he posted an image of himself visibly distressed and urged Colombians to remember that football contains both triumph and failure. "My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect," he wrote, emphasizing that sporting frustration should never justify hatred or fear. The Colombian Football Federation has backed him publicly, issuing a strong statement condemning intimidation and calling on the attorney general to fast-track an investigation into those responsible for the threats.
The incident has reignited painful memories of the 1994 World Cup, when defender Andrés Escobar was murdered in Medellín shortly after scoring an own-goal in Colombia's elimination. That dark chapter serves as a sobering reminder of how far passion can spiral into tragedy when left unchecked. The federation has stressed that football must be a unifying force, not a stage for violence — and it's urging fans nationwide to ensure that disappointment on the pitch never translates into real-world aggression off it.
For bettors and football watchers, this underscores the immense pressure these players carry. Missed opportunities in knockout football can haunt careers and, in extreme cases, personal safety. It's a stark reminder that every shot counts when stakes run this high.
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