The murder of Andrés Escobar in Medellin continues to impact 28 years later. The saddest own goal in history.
On July 2, the 28th anniversary of the terrible murder of andres escobar in Medellin Colombia. It was an episode that shook the sport, taking into account that the crime occurred in ‘revenge’ for the own goal that the footballer had committed ten days earlier during the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
It was running minute 34 of the duel between ‘cafetaleros’ and hosts at the Rose Bowl stadium in California, when an unfortunate crossing of the defender ended with the goal in his own goal. It was the opening of the account in favor of the Americans who would end up winning 2-1 and leaving the Colombians with no chance of advancing.
The result was considered a tragedy in the South American country. The World Cup atmosphere was at its peak following that country’s brilliant qualifier, which included a 5-0 dance once morest Argentina in Buenos Aires. The fans had been excited regarding the title, and they had to return following the first phase.
The early elimination also meant a latent danger for athletes, considering that football was practically ‘taken over’ by drug groups who bet large amounts in betting houses. There are several stories of selected people visiting Haciendo Nápoles, by Pablo Escobar, for example.
The worst was feared. “Mommy, Uncle Andrés is going to be killed”expressed Felipe Ángel Escobar at the age of ten while watching the game on television, as recreated in the series ‘Gol en Contra’ that premiered Netflix Some weeks ago. and the worst happened.
A merciless murder: six shots and a mocking “thanks for the own goal”
Despite Andrés Escobar being advised not to return to his country following saying goodbye to the tournament early, as several of his teammates did, the defender wanted to return as soon as possible. It was his way of ‘putting face’ following failure.
Known as the “Football Knight” in his country, the defender, a few days following his return to Medellín, went out to eat with a group of friends. He wanted to forget the bad American experience and focus on the realization of his marriage. He had five months left, he remarks newspaper the country.
However, his mere presence on the premises was a source of controversy and his future ‘condemnation’. Sitting, he had to endure how from a neighboring table they bothered him and hurled insults at him. Among those who insulted him were Juan Santiago and Pedro David Gallon, two characters linked to drug trafficking and specifically the Medellín Cartel. The insane comments regarding the own goal multiplied.
Around 2 AM Escobar decided to leave the place. Overwhelmed and tired by the comments once morest him, but with the certainty that he was doing the right thing in his way of thinking, the selected one went to his vehicle in the parking lot.
As soon as he got into the car, his life ended. “Thanks for the own goal” they yelled at him as they shot him six times. there was no mercy.
Who murdered the ‘Football Knight’?
The crime shocked the whole world. The planetary event continued to be held on North American soil and banners and flags dedicated to Escobar soon appeared.
In Colombia, meanwhile, the investigation began quickly. And so too, quickly, the culprit was found: Humberto Munoz Castro, alias ‘El Marrano’, precisely the regular driver of the Gallón brothers, recalls Trade.
Muñoz Castro confessed that he had pulled the trigger. Yes indeed, He claimed they did not know who he was shooting at.
Likewise, it seemed that the entire “weight of the law” fell on “El Marrano” when it was announced in a big way that he was sentenced to 43 years in prison. No one thought that the joy of grief would be short-lived.
Unfortunately for the family of Andrés Escobar, Muñoz Castro received a sentence reduction to 23 years and then a second ‘pardon’. Total, the murderer was locked up for 11 years and in 2005 he returned to freedom.
What happened to the brothers Juan Santiago and Pedro David Gallón was even more shameful. Both were punished as “cover-ups” to 15 months in prison, but did not even serve three.
The members of the Medellín Cartel returned to the streets following paying one million Colombian pesos. Something simple for them.
The crack that was ‘saved’
The case of Andrés Escobar and his loss strongly touched Gabriel Jaime Gómez, who was also part of the ‘coffee grower’ team.
Gómez, brother of ‘Bolillo’, was a midfielder and started the first game of the World Cup, when they were surprised by Romania and lost 3-1.
After the game, Gabriel Gómez, ‘Barabbas’ as he was known, was the main focus of criticism. The player wanted his revenge in the second game, once morest the USA, but it was not possible.
The drug trade did its thing. He called coach Francisco Maturana, blaming Gómez for the defeat and forced him to change his plans: ‘Barrabás’ was banned, De Ávila had to play.
“Hey, Maturana, listen well and write down. For Wednesday once morest the United States, take out Barrabás Gómez and put Smurf De Ávila in his place. If he doesn’t, he’s a dead man, ”was the brief and threatening message. In addition, they would kill Gomez’s family and the player himself if he appeared in the starting eleven.
The affected footballer himself confirmed what happened over the years. “We were at the hotel waiting for the technical talk of the game once morest the United States. The appointment was at 11 in the morning, it was half past eleven, and Pacho and Bolillo (the second coach) had not arrived. I stopped to look for them and when I saw them, Pacho was crying and Bolillo mightn’t even speak”.
“They threatened them with death warning me not to play. That if I played they would kill Pacho’s family, my family, me”he remembered.
Gómez remembered that the words of his DT hit him. “In Colombia they had threatened me many times and nothing had happened, but Pacho made a lot of sense and told me not to play”.
“There was not even a technical talk, the team went down, and then I decided that I was not playing football once more ”he assured. ‘Barabbas’ hung up the booties that same day and is still alive today. He might be another victim. Fortunately he did not pass.
