Colombia forward Jaminton Campaz has reportedly gone into hiding after receiving death threats following his country’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reviving memories of the 1994 murder of defender Andrés Escobar.
Campaz missed a gilt-edged chance in the closing stages of extra time during Colombia’s Round of 16 clash against Switzerland on July 7.
The match finished goalless after 120 minutes before Switzerland progressed with a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
According to the New York Post, the 26-year-old did not return to Bogotá with teammates James Rodríguez, Davinson Sánchez and Juan Fernando Quintero.
His whereabouts remain unknown, although reports suggest he may have travelled to Argentina, where he plays for Rosario Central.
Breaking his silence in an emotional Instagram post on Friday, Campaz appealed for calm and urged supporters not to allow football to breed hatred.
He wrote: “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 living in fear.”
The forward said representing Colombia at the World Cup had fulfilled a lifelong dream despite the disappointment of the team’s exit.
He said: “Since I was a child, I dreamed of defending Colombia’s colours, hearing the anthem, representing millions of people and scoring a goal at a World Cup.
“Today, I can only thank God for allowing me to fulfil that dream.”
Campaz added: “I deeply regret not being able to bring you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know there was never a lack of dedication, commitment or love for this jersey.
“I gave everything I had on the pitch, and I would do it a thousand times over for my country.”
The threats have drawn comparisons with one of the darkest moments in football history, when Colombia defender Andrés Escobar was shot dead in Medellín days after scoring an own goal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The Colombian Football Federation condemned the threats and called on the country’s Attorney General’s Office to investigate those responsible.
The federation said: “No sportsman, nor any member of their camp, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting context.”
It added: “The executive committee of the Colombian Football Federation expresses its full solidarity with and support for Jaminton Campaz, his family, all the players in the Colombia national team and the delegation as a whole.
“It also 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 statement continued: “The FCF reiterates that the players who make up our national teams accept the honour of wearing the Colombian shirt with discipline, commitment, professionalism and a deep love for their country.”
It concluded: “Every time they take to the pitch, they do so with the conviction that they will give their utmost and with the sole aim of representing the nation with dignity and achieving the best possible result.”
