Colombia Football Federation Denounces Player Harassment After Petro Event

The Colombian Football Federation has denounced "harassment" against players preparing for the 2026 World Cup. The federation stated its rejection of "any manifestation of aggression, harassment, or disqualification directed against the players, their families, or members of the national delegation." This statement follows a public event where players received the national flag from President Gustavo Petro. During the ceremony, several players appeared unenthusiastic, with some receiving gifts from the president with only a brief greeting. This attitude was interpreted by some on social media as a snub.

Social media criticism has intensified against the national team members. This comes amid a polarized election campaign for the June 21 runoff election. The criticism has targeted players, including captain James Rodríguez, who was reportedly criticized for not taking a photo with Petro's youngest daughter. The federation's statement aims to push back against this online backlash.

The team has since traveled to the United States for a final friendly match before their World Cup debut on June 17 against Uzbekistan. Colombia's participation in the tournament coincides with the final stretch of the campaign to elect Petro's successor, the country's first left-wing president. The political climate appears to be influencing public reactions to the national team.

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any manifestation of aggression, asedio or disqualification directed against the players, their families or members of the national delegation