Colombia forward Jáminton Campaz missed his flight home from the World Cup and has gone into hiding.
The 26-year-old blazed over the crossbar in extra-time before Switzerland triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout to set up a quarter-final clash against Argentina, who will now face England for a place in the final.
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Campaz and his family have been sent death threats since Tuesday’s game.
He was due to fly from Vancouver to Bogotá Wednesday with teammates Davinson Sánchez, James Rodríguez and Juan Fernando Quintero, but did not show up.
The threats mirror a chilling incident after the 1994 World Cup in the United States, with defender Andrés Escobar murdered in Medellín after scored an own-goal in a 2-1 loss to the USMNT.
“My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect,” Campaz, who scored in the shootout, posted on Instagram Thursday. “We may hold different views or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear.
“Since I was a child, I dreamed of defending Colombia’s colors, hearing the anthem, representing millions of people, and scoring a goal in a World Cup.
“Today, I can only thank God for allowing me to fulfill that dream. These are memories I will carry with me forever.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood by us during this World Cup – those who believed in us, cheered us on until the very last minute, and never lost faith.
“Thanks also to my family, who have been my strength at every step and have been by my side during both the happiest and the most difficult moments.”
Campaz may have remained in the U.S. or headed to Argentina. He plays club football for Rosario Central.
“To the entire country, I can only say that I share the pain of this elimination. We, too, dreamed of advancing further, and I know the sadness we feel today as Colombians,” he added.
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“I deeply regret not being able to bring you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that 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.”
Colombia Soccer Federation is calling for immediate action from the Attorney General’s office.
“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 said.
“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope — never a stage for hatred, intimidation, or violence,” continued the statement. “Therefore, the Federation calls upon all Colombians to ensure that the differences inherent in sports competition never translate into threats or acts of aggression against those who dedicate their lives to representing the country.”
Andrés Escobar murder shocked the world
Heading into the 1994 tournament, Escobar was being lined up as Italy legend Franco Baresi’s replacement at AC Milan.
His brother spoke to The Athletic in July and revealed that he begged him not to travel home.
“I told Andrés, ‘Don’t go back to Colombia’,” he said. “Stay here with all of us and have [wife] Pamela meet you here. And he told me, ‘No, I have to go to Colombia to face things head-on and tell Pamela that we should travel together’.
“He never imagined they were going to do something like that to him.”
The brutal murder shocked the world and remains one of the most famous football tragedies.
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