Jáminton Campaz: Death threats force World Cup star to skip return flight. The Colombian forward did not board the national team’s flight home from Vancouver after receiving online abuse and death threats following Colombia’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Switzerland in the World Cup Round of 16. Campaz missed a crucial chance in extra time, sparking a wave of harassment on social media.
According to Argentine outlet Infobae, Campaz stayed behind due to safety concerns, while senior players like James Rodríguez returned with the squad. The 26-year-old Rosario Central star may have remained in the United States or traveled separately to Argentina. He previously posted an emotional message urging fans not to let disappointment turn into hatred.
The Colombian Football Federation condemned the threats, calling for an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. They stated that no athlete should face intimidation for representing their country. This incident echoes the tragic 1994 murder of defender Andrés Escobar after an own goal, though no direct comparison is made.
While Campaz’s safety is now a priority, the federation’s swift action highlights the need to combat online abuse. For now, the focus remains on identifying those responsible and protecting players from real-world consequences of sporting disappointment.