FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Copa America Brazil 2019 – Quarter Final – Colombia v Chile – Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil – June 28, 2019 Colombia’s William Tesillo looks dejected after losing the penalty shootout REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia national soccer team player William Tesillo told local media that he has been threatened via social media after his missed penalty kick in a Copa American shoot-out with Chile last week cost Colombia the chance to remain in the tournament.
Tesillo’s wife Daniela Mejia over the weekend published a screenshot on her Instagram of a message wishing her husband the same fate as Andres Escobar, a Colombian player shot to death after he made an own-goal in a match during the 1994 World Cup.
“They’ve written to my wife and she published it. They’ve written to me too,” the 29-year-old defender told the local El Pais newspaper in comments published late on Sunday.
Sources with the national police told Reuters they are investigating intimidation via social media directed at the player and his family, but that they haven’t opened a formal investigation because Tesillo has not lodged a complaint.
Tesillo’s father told local radio the family is counting on God to touch the hearts of people who have written tasteless messages.
“I hope they understand it’s football,” the elder Tesillo told Caracol Radio.
Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Paul Simao