The drastic investigation in Colombia following serious threats against a star of the national team

Football is once again revealing its darkest and most irrational side in terms of the mental health and physical well-being of professional athletes. Just hours after the Colombian national team’s painful elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Switzerland, the frustration of a radical group of fans has completely crossed the line of respect and institutional legality.

The focus of cyberattacks has alarmingly shifted to Jáminton Campaz, the talented 26-year-old attacking midfielder who currently plays for Rosario Central in the Argentine First Division. The footballer has been forced to publicly denounce a series of serious threats that have drastically disrupted his plans for rest and personal peace after the tournament in North America.

The impact of social media and fear

According to a detailed report published by the international sports outlet EssentiallySports, the Colombian Football Federation and the country’s judicial authorities have launched a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the messages. The article highlights that the digital threats have reached such a level that the attacker has made the drastic decision not to travel to his home country for his vacation for strictly security reasons.

The EssentiallySports publication details that Campaz will not return to his hometown of Tumaco, nor to the city of Ibagué where much of his family resides, in the short term, preferring to remain in Argentina to avoid any incidents. “We can think differently or feel frustration or sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear,” the footballer himself expressed in an emotional official statement released on his social media.

The pain behind the World Cup elimination

International news outlets like Miami’s Local 10 News and networks like ESPN Colombia have expanded on the sporting events that triggered this tense situation. During the World Cup, the Rosario Central striker was a frequent substitute used by the Colombian coaching staff, actively participating in three crucial matches of the international tournament.

Campaz had been the hero in the group stage, scoring a 99th-minute goal that sealed a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan, and he also played valuable minutes in the round of 32 win against Ghana. However, his appearance in the second half of the fateful match against the Swiss was marred by a missed opportunity in the final third, a mistake that the most extreme fans did not forgive him for at the final whistle.

Defending the love for the jersey

Argentine media outlets such as TyC Sports and Diario Olé have also reported on the news, expressing the Rosario club’s full support for their player in this complex situation. The South American press has emphasized that an athlete’s performance on the field should never translate into a risk to their life or the lives of their loved ones in real life.

“I dreamed of defending the colors of Colombia, hearing the anthem, and representing millions of people since I was a child; I deeply regret not being able to give them the joy we all hoped for,” Campaz added in his statement, making it clear that his commitment to the national team was absolute and that he would defend the tricolor jersey again and again if footballing destiny allows it in the future.

The intervention of local authorities

The case is now in the hands of the cybercrime units of the Colombian Attorney General’s Office, who are working with the administrators of the main digital platforms to trace the IP addresses from which the messages were sent. Professional soccer players’ associations in South America have issued statements demanding severe and exemplary sanctions to curb violence in the sport.

The outcome of this investigation will be key in setting a real precedent in international football regarding the online harassment of athletes after major tournaments. For now, Jaminton Campaz’s entourage remains under strict confidentiality and constant monitoring, hoping that things will calm down so the talented midfielder can fully focus on returning to domestic competitions with his club.