Colombian soccer player Giovanni Moreno received death threats in Argentina Tuesday, where he plays for first division team Racing Club.
“The woman [Moreno’s wife] is very scared and, well, these things happen in the country in which we live,” said a spokesperson for the soccer player, Agustin Jimenez, referring to Argentina’s traditional fanaticism for the sport.
Moreno and fellow teammate Federico Santander were approached by three men following Tuesday’s practice. One of the men, who was wielding a gun, told Moreno to leave the team and that if they did not win their next game, things would “go very badly.”
“The worst thing is that the guy told [Moreno] that he knew where he lived (…) I cannot miss practices, but from now on I will go with fear,” said Paraguayan striker Santander.
Moreno arrived for his team’s practice Wednesday morning with increased security.
The midfielder’s future with the team remains unclear as rumors have swirled in Argentine media that he might be shipped to second division team, Club Atletico River Plate.
With four games left in the season, Racing Club faces relegation after several dismal performances in recent games.