The Brazilian Ministry of Justice said that it has already taken steps to improve the safety of Colombia’s national soccer team after they filed a formal complaint to FIFA lodged against Brazil’s security forces.
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice, which oversees the Federal Police, responded to complaints by Colombia’s World Cup soccer team of being mistreated and abused at the hands of Brazilian security forces, according to Colombia’s RCN Radio.
“We stress that we have already undertaken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Colombian national team in all of its displacement in the country,” said the Brazilian Ministry of Justice in a statement.
The Colombian soccer team claimed to have been the targets of “verbal aggression” and “derogatory treatment” by security forces ever since arriving in Brazil.
“The Colombian soccer team laments the actions of the security personnel of the Federal Police of the state of São Paolo assigned to the security delegation, which has repeatedly and aggravatingly caused unrest in players and coaches during the last hours,” read a statement from the Soccer Federation of Colombia.
MORE: Colombia files complaint to FIFA alleging mistreatment by Brazilian police
Colombia’s first appearance in the World Cup in 16 years resulted in a 3-0 victory against Greece on Saturday.
“Los Cafeteros” will compete against the Ivory Coast on Thursday before taking to the pitch against Japan on June 24 for its final game of group play. The Ivory Coast won its first match against Japan on Saturday 2-1.
MORE: Colombia beats Greece 3-0 in 1st World Cup match in 16 years