Jaminton Campaz has been the target of death threats following Colombia’s World Cup Round of 16 loss to Switzerland, the Colombian Soccer Federation said, and the federation has asked the Attorney General’s Office to open a criminal probe. Campaz missed a crucial scoring chance in extra time and Colombia ultimately fell in a penalty shootout. In the hours after the defeat, the player and his family were reportedly sent hostile messages online.
“No athlete, nor any member of their camp, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting context,” the federation said in a public statement, condemning the threats and calling for swift legal action.
Jaminton Campaz: what happened in the match
Campaz was involved in a decisive moment late in extra time of Colombia’s Round of 16 match against Switzerland. He had a clear chance to score that might have altered the tie. The attempt did not result in a goal, and the game went to penalties, where Colombia lost the shootout and was eliminated from the tournament.
On the field, the result ended Colombia’s run. Off the field, the missed opportunity became a focal point for criticism and online backlash among some fans.
Social media backlash and alleged threats
After the match, Campaz’s social media accounts were flooded with negative comments. Federation officials and media reports said some messages included direct threats against him and family members. News outlets treating the matter as a credible concern described an outpouring of abusive content directed at the player.
As a precautionary measure, Campaz limited comments on his social accounts. Team sources said he did not join the rest of the squad on the immediate return flight to Colombia and remained separated from team travel while authorities and federation officials reviewed next steps.
Campaz posted an Instagram message appealing for calm and respect. He wrote in part: “Football is also made up of difficult moments. My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect.” The post urged fans not to translate disappointment into abuse.
Colombian Football Federation response
The Colombian Soccer Federation issued a formal condemnation of the threats and pledged support for Campaz, his family and the entire delegation. The federation’s executive committee said it stands in solidarity with the player and demanded legal measures.
In its statement the federation “calls on the Attorney General’s Office to carry out, as swiftly as possible, the necessary investigations to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible for these acts.” The language makes clear the federation wants criminal inquiries and potential prosecution if wrongdoing is established.
Federation leaders said they will cooperate with prosecutors and share any available evidence. They also urged fans and commentators to keep sporting disputes within the bounds of respect and to reject intimidation or violence directed at athletes.
Why this recalls Andres Escobar and why sensitivity matters
The federation’s statement referenced the painful memory of Andrés Escobar, who was killed in Medellín days after Colombia’s 1994 World Cup exit. Officials cited that history to explain why current threats are taken seriously and to warn against escalation.
News coverage has stressed caution. Journalists and officials emphasize that invoking the 1994 killing is intended to underscore the gravity of threats, not to suggest any direct link between current online messages and past violence. The Escobar killing remains a singular, tragic episode in Colombian soccer history, and authorities say that awareness of that trauma informs a more urgent response today.
What comes next: investigations and safety steps
The federation has formally asked the Attorney General’s Office to open and expedite an investigation. Prosecutors would typically begin by collecting the reported messages, identifying account details and seeking cooperation from social platforms to trace origins.
Investigations of online threats often involve digital forensics, account tracing, and coordination with service providers. If investigators can identify individuals responsible for threatening messages, criminal charges could follow under laws that cover intimidation, threats and harassment.
Federation officials said they will provide any documentation they have and remain in contact with prosecutors. In the short term, Campaz has taken precautions: limiting public exposure on social media, staying apart from immediate team travel, and working with federation security staff to assess risks.
Officials also called on the public to channel disappointment into nonviolent forms of support for the national team and to respect players’ personal safety and families.
FAQs
Are the death threats against Jaminton Campaz verified?
Reports indicate Campaz and his family received threatening messages and that his accounts were swamped with abusive comments. Those reports are treated as allegations pending investigative work. The federation has formally requested prosecutors to determine the facts and identify any offenders.
What is the Colombian federation asking prosecutors to do?
The federation asked the Attorney General’s Office to “carry out, as swiftly as possible, the necessary investigations to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible for these acts.” That request seeks a criminal probe into the alleged threats and legal action if responsibility is established.
Did Campaz respond publicly to the threats?
Campaz posted an appeal for respect on Instagram and limited comments on his accounts. He did not immediately join his teammates on their return flight as a precaution while authorities and federation officials assessed the situation.
Switzerland is next scheduled to play Argentina for a place in the World Cup semifinals; the tournament’s remaining fixtures mean continued public attention on player safety and fan reactions after high-stakes matches.
Source: Fox News. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Original Fox News article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/colombian-soccer-federation-demands-investigation-star-player-death-threats-world-cup
