06/03/26 03:07:00
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06/03 03:02 CDT Colombia's soccer jersey isn't just about sports. It's become a
symbol of political division
Colombia's soccer jersey isn't just about sports. It's become a symbol of
political division
By MANUEL RUEDA
Associated Press
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) --- Colombia's national soccer jersey --- a symbol of
unity and pride as the team heads to the 2026 FIFA World Cup --- has become
embroiled in the country's bitterly disputed presidential election, sparking
debate over whether the yellow shirt should be used at political rallies.
Regularly worn at matches, on national holidays and other special occasions,
the bright yellow jersey is now frequently worn at political rallies by
supporters of Abelardo de la Espriella. The bombastic lawyer who amassed the
most votes in the first round of the election Sunday often dons the jersey
himself as he speaks to his supporters from a stage, where he's usually
protected by suited bodyguards and bulletproof glass.
Sen. Ivn Cepeda, the candidate for Colombia's ruling party and an ally of
President Gustavo Petro, this week slammed his rival's choice of apparel,
accusing him of stealing a national symbol.
In a message on social platform X Monday, Cepeda wrote that using the national
team's jersey at political rallies was an "opportunistic act" whose legality
should be examined.
"The national (soccer) team belongs to all of us," said Cepeda, who is
representing Petro's party, the Historical Pact, and came in second place
during the first round of voting Sunday. The runoff vote will be held June 21.
"Stop stealing things that belong to the entire nation."
Cepeda, who shows up at campaign rallies wearing dark cardigans and
mandarin-collared white shirts, this week asked his supporters to refrain from
wearing Colombia's jersey or any other national symbols at his rallies.
"Let's run a clean, transparent campaign," Cepeda said.
De la Espriella, a conservative celebrity lawyer who calls himself "the tiger"
has not replied to Cepeda's comments on the use of jerseys. But members of his
campaign are now encouraging supporters to use them as much as possible --- as
a way to defy Cepeda and Petro's government.
"This jersey, besides showing support for our players, now also represents the
defense of the freedoms that Cepeda wants to take away from us," Daniel
Briceo, a congressman who supports de la Espriella, said in a video.
Echoes of Brazil
The tug-of-war over Colombia's national jersey echoes recent developments in
Brazil, where the country's famous gold and green jersey was appropriated by
supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro at the end of last decade.
Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest for plotting a coup after he lost Brazil's
2022 election, promoted the use of the Brazilian jersey during his rallies and
urged his supporters to wear it to polling stations on voting days.
During his second term in office, Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva
has sought to reclaim the jersey by wearing it at public events and encouraging
his supporters to wear it as well, so that "the colors or Brazil are not taken
over by any fascist." Brazilian pop stars aligned with Lula have also donned
the soccer shirt at concerts as part of the efforts to reclaim it.
Carlos Andrs Arias, a political marketing consultant in Bogota, said that
politicians from Cepeda's party, including President Petro, have also used
Colombia's yellow jersey at rallies, and in political ads, but less
consistently.
He said that de la Espriella benefits from using the jersey because it evokes
patriotism, one of the values he promotes at his rallies. De la Espriella has
pledged to take a tougher approach to security and end peace talks with rebel
groups.
Arias said that Cepeda's efforts to stop his opponents from using the jersey at
political rallies are likely to backfire, because they serve to strengthen the
link between de la Espriella's campaign and the national team's jersey.
"People will now think that wearing the jersey is a sure way to support de la
Espriella," Arias said.
Colombia's National Football Federation, which owns the marketing rights to the
jerseys, said earlier this week it had no way to control how its shirts are
used in non-commercial events, though it expressed regret that they are being
used for purposes unrelated to sports.
Ral Cardona, a volunteer for Cepeda's campaign in Bogota, said the candidate's
supporters will now use the jersey at their own rallies. He added that he has
already seen some Cepeda backers wearing Colombia's national team shirt at
recent marches in Bogota.
"We need to democratize the use of the jersey," Cardona said. "And stop the
rival campaign from monopolizing this symbol."
___
Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
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