Javier Florez buys his way out of chokey

Atletico Junior’s Javier Florez was driving home from a defeat in Columbia’s Copa Mustang tournament in July when he was hassled by a group of fans. Instead of rising above their torments, the midfielder decided to let his gun do the talking. A 27-year-old electrician named Israel Campillo was murdered when he fired several shots at the group.

Florez surrendered himself to the police shortly after the incident, and admitted that he was drunk at the time. Despite admitting to a very heinous crime, the troubled star has been released from prison after paying 150m pesos ($75,000) to the victim’s family.

In addition to compensating the family, Florez had to pay a fine of just 1.5m pesos ($750) in order to get out of prison.

With such lenient punishments, is it any wonder that Colombia has a world-beating murder rate?

Javier Flórez shoots a supporter for calling him “weak”

As Andrés Escobar discovered fifteen years ago, Colombian football and gunpoint murders go together like peas and carrots. The latest victim of this unfortunate harmonious relationship is a fan of Atletico Junior, who pushed Javier Flórez over the edge.

Apparently, the midfielder was driving home after a defeat to Once Caldas in the Apertura tournament when a group of youths started hassling him. When they shouted “Weak! Weak!” at him, he allegedly got out of his car and started firing. 27-year-old electrician Israel Campillo was killed after finding himself on the wrong end of two bullets.

Witnesses claim the footballer fled the scene on foot, at which point enraged locals in the Barranquilla neighbourhood destroyed his car with stones.

Flórez has since handed surrendered himself to the police.

[Marca]

Yet another former lover of Real Madrid’s latest acquisition

After more than a year of tiring speculation, Cristiano Ronaldo has finally secured his escape route to Madrid. In honour his much-touted departure, we pay tribute to one of the lucky ladies who played a part in C-Ron’s highly prolific Summer of Steamrollering 2008^TM.

In addition to Nereida Gallardo, Niki Ghazian and Letizia Filippi, the Portuguese star took his mind off of his incredibly charmed life by boffing Colombian model Mirella Grisales.

The words “banjo” and “cow’s backside” spring to mind

Last night’s Copa Libertadores clash between Brazilian side Gremio and Colombia’s Boyaca Chico will be remembered for nothing else except the devastatingly bad triple miss of Gremio attacking midfielder Jonas. Even Nicklas Bendtner would have put one of those away!

Spoiler bonus: Jonas may be feeling pretty sorry for himself, but he can always bask in the glory of getting a shout out at every single Weezer concert…

Víctor Aristizábal produces some world class showboating

Batshit crazy goalkeeper Rene Higuita earned a place in football history when he produced one of his famous “scorpion” kicks at Wembley. Higuita, however, isn’t the only Colombian to pull off this tricky move with success. Striker Víctor Aristizábal, once dubbed “the best player in the world without the ball”, displayed this thoroughly unnecessary (but extremely impressive) piece of skill during a 1993 international with Chile.

Colombian shot stopper is still batshit crazy - skip to [2.15]

To most English football fans, José René Higuita Zapata is best known for dealing with a wayward Jamie Redknapp cross in a rather unusual manner.

In his native Colombia, however, he is known as “El Loco” for the ridiculous chances he takes on the pitch (he’s not scared of pushing up the field and has bagged 30 career goals so far) and his bizarre private life (he was imprisoned for his involvement in a drug cartel kidnapping and banned from the game for cocaine abuse).

Trying to help his side Pereira overcome a 2-0 deficit in a recent match, the 42-year-old thought it wise to push up to the half-way line. As you can see from [2.15] onwards in the video, his attempt showed fortitude, but ultimately, stupidity.

[Off The Post]

Bravery/ stupidity immortalised on YouTube

Colombian scorpion kick specialist Rene ‘El Loco’ Higuita is known for his brave advances up the field, but not every shot stopper can pull it off. This poor soul, playing for Gama in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B will probably stay glued to his line for the next few games.

[The Offside]

C.F. Pachuca’s lucky cat goes the extra mile to show support

In Europe, a mascot is expected to waddle up and down the sidelines, high fiving children and blocking people’s views. Over in Mexico, however, it seems their duties are a little different. Miguel Calero’s happy moment was originally spotted at The Footie.

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