Football in Colombia

Early history

Football appeared in Colombia in the early 1880s, the first official game took place in 1888 . Football developed in the northern ports of the country thanks to railway engineers from England . ^[5] Large clubs were formed in Barranquilla and Bogota , in 1924 the first permanent league appeared - the Atlantic Coast Football League, which was soon transformed into the Colombian Football Federation and joined FIFA in 1936 . In 1948, the national professional league DiMayor was formed. ^[five]

Eldorado

Almost immediately after the appearance of the DiMayor league in 1948, a conflict arose between FIFA and such large Colombian clubs as Millionarios and Santa Fe (both from Bogota ), who refused to pay transfers to foreign clubs. As a result of this confrontation, a rebellious league appeared. Additional money allowed clubs from Colombia to pay players huge salaries and fees when buying new players. They attracted stars from all over the world, especially from Argentina . So in the championship of Colombia appeared such stars as Alfredo Di Stefano , Charlie Mitten , Nestor Rossi , Adolfo Pederner and others. The period from 1948 to 1953 , known as Eldorado , is marked by a huge influx of fans to the stadiums and a growing interest in football in Colombia. ^[6] However, in 1949, FIFA suspended Colombia from participating in all international club competitions, and in 1954 forced it to accept general transfer rules.

Further development

In 1968, Colombia switched to the division of the season in South America into 2 separate tournaments: Apertura (from February to June) and Finalization ( Finalización ) (from July to December). ^[five]

In the 1970s, an avalanche-like growth in the drug business began, becoming an important economic and political force in the country. The financial situation of the clubs turned out to be unsustainable, and their acquisition gave a chance to raise the social status and gain an instrument for money laundering to numerous drug cartels. The drug cartel of Cali acquired America Cali , the Medellín cartel Pablo Escobar bought Atletico Nacional and took control of Millionarios from Bogota . Murder, abduction, match fixing and money laundering have become commonplace in Colombian football. In 1986, Colombia had to abandon the World Cup , and in 2001 a series of explosions and shootouts almost tore off the intended America’s Cup .

In 1991, Primera B , the second most important Colombian league in football , was formed. The Columbia Cup , which appeared in 1950 and played periodically and very rarely, has become an annual tournament since 2008 with the participation of all the clubs of the two main leagues of Colombia. ^[7]

Colombian national football team first appeared in 1938 and since then has experienced both periods of ups and times of falls.

America's Cup

Colombia did not participate in the America's Cup until 1945 , in its first tournament, in which Colombia took 5th place with 7 participants. In subsequent tournaments, Colombia appeared periodically and without much success, until they finished second in the tournament in 1975, since they are regular participants, but like all the other 10 South American teams, traditionally with rare exceptions, playing in all America's Cups. Colombia hosted the 2001 Copa America Cup and in the final of which, beating Mexico 1-0, won their first and so far the only South American champion title.

World Championships

Colombia took part in the World Cup in 1938 for the first time, but failed to overcome the qualifying tournament . Colombia was able to qualify for the 1962 World Cup , but did not pass the first round, finishing last in its group. Once again, the Colombian team was able to participate in the 1990 World Cup , in which it advanced to the second round with such bright players as Carlos Valderrama , Freddie Rincon and Rene Igit .

During the qualifying tournament for the 1994 World Cup, Colombia struck everyone with some impressive results, such as a 5-0 victory over the current world runner-up Argentines . These successes impressed Pele , who named Colombians among the contenders for the highest rank in the football world. ^[8] However, at the very championship Colombia could not overcome even the first round, taking the last place in the group. Defender Andres Escobar was killed after returning home, according to one of the most likely versions, his own goal, scored in the match with the Americans, the hosts of the championship, became the cause of this crime. ^[9]

The next appearance of Colombia at the World Cup in 1998 remains the last one to date. On it, Colombia again failed to leave the group.

Confederation Cup

As the winner of the America's Cup, the Colombian team took part in the Confederations Cup 2003 Confederations Cup . They qualified from the group, but failed to overcome the national team of Cameroon in the semifinals, then lost in the match for the third place in Turkey .

Other teams

Colombia is internationally represented by a number of other teams, the most famous of which are: the Colombian Youth Football Team (twice winner of the South American Football Championship among youth teams in 1987 and 2005 ) and the Colombian Junior National Team (winning the South American Football Championship for boys under 17 years old in 1993 ).

Club Achievements

Two Colombian clubs won the Libertadores Cup : in 1989, the Medellín club Atletico Nacional did it, and in 2004 this peak resigned to the modest Onse Caldas . These two victories were the only Colombian clubs ever won at international official tournaments.