Controversy at Colombia’s World Cup Send-Off Ceremony
Colombia’s national soccer team faced an uncomfortable situation during the FIFA World Cup send-off ceremony on Thursday, led by outgoing President Gustavo Petro. The event has stirred debate after accusations arose that team captain James Rodríguez “snubbed” Petro’s youngest daughter, Antonella, by not taking a photo with her.
The ceremony took place at Catam Military Air Base in Bogotá and marked a send-off for the 26 players representing Colombia in the upcoming World Cup, set to happen from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. President Petro, nearing the end of his controversial administration, was accompanied by his 17-year-old daughter Antonella, and the event was broadcasted by state media in Colombia.
According to Spanish sports newspaper Marca, the event was closed to the press and announced on short notice. Notably, several members of the Colombian team appeared to have long faces during the ceremony. Reports from other outlets, like ESPN Panama, mentioned that many players seemed uncomfortable and didn’t smile much.
During the ceremony, as Petro greeted each player individually and presented them with a traditional gift, things became contentious. When it was Rodríguez’s turn, Antonella requested a photo with him, but he continued walking without acknowledging her, following protocol.
This perceived refusal sparked rising controversy for the 34-year-old captain, especially among supporters of the far-left president and members of the Historical Accord Political Union. Colombian sports outlet Bora VIP noticed that Rodríguez was positioned at the back during the official send-off photo, instead of in the front row, where team captains are typically expected to stand.
Nicolas Alcocer Petro, the president’s stepson, publicly criticized Rodríguez on social media. He commented that Antonella, who has admired Rodríguez since she was six, deserved better treatment. “Her first goal celebration was against Uruguay,” he noted, emphasizing the disappointment in Rodríguez’s actions.
Additionally, Heidi Sánchez Barreto, a city councilor from the ruling political coalition, expressed her discontent over how the team treated Antonella, implying that Rodríguez’s actions were disrespectful. She remarked on social media that Antonella merely wanted to support her national team and deserved better from Rodríguez.
As Colombia approached a pivotal presidential election, President Petro has claimed that the results of the recent first round were “rigged,” contradicting the positive feedback from both local and international observers about the integrity of the electoral process. Rodríguez, for his part, has remained mostly neutral regarding political candidates, previously expressing favorable opinions about former conservative president Álvaro Uribe Vélez while avoiding commentary on Petro.
The Colombian soccer team is set to kick off their World Cup journey against Uzbekistan in Mexico City on June 17. Prior to that, they will play a friendly match against Jordan on June 8 in San Diego, California. As they prepare, the team posted on social media, expressing pride in their upcoming journey.
