Andrés Escobar

Andrés Escobar (March 13, 1967-July 2, 1994) was a Colombian football player, who was shot and killed for an own goal that he scored in the 1994 Football World Cup.

Related Topics:
March 13 - 1967 - July 2 - 1994 - Colombian - Football - Own goal - 1994 Football World Cup

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was a defender for Colombia in the Football World Cup in 1990 and 1994. His shirt number was 2.

Related Topics:
Defender - Colombia - Football World Cup - 1990 - 1994

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 2, 1994, Escobar was gunned down outside a bar in a Medellín suburb. According to Escobar's girlfriend the killer shouted "goal" for each of the 12 bullets fired. Escobar had scored an own goal in a match against the United States on 22 June. The USA won the game 2–1, and as a result, Colombia were dismissed from the tournament in the first round.

Related Topics:
July 2 - 1994 - Medellín - United States - 22 June

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The murder was clearly a punishment for the own goal. It is not clear whether the murderer acted on his own initiative, or whether he was sent out by one of the gambling syndicates who had bet large amounts of money on Colombia to win the Cup, or at least qualify for the second round.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The BBC issued an apology the following day after its pundit Alan Hansen commented on another match that "the Argentine defender wants shooting for a mistake like that." http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,4284,468273,00.html.

Related Topics:
BBC - Pundit - Alan Hansen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Humberto Muñoz Castro was found guilty of Escobar's murder in June 1995 and sentenced to 43 years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 26 years due to his submitting to the ruling penal code in 2001, and was released on good behavior due to further reductions from prison work and study in 2005 after serving approximately 11 years, in a move which was considered controversial.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~