A FEMALE Colombian footballer claims she has been getting death threats since transferring to a rival club.
Nicole Regnier says fans of Deportivo Cali – her girlhood club where she honed her trade – are threatening to kill her after she signed for crosstown rivals America Cali.
The 21-year-old began her career at Deportivo before moving to Spain where she starred for Atletico Madrid B and Rayo Vallecano ladies.
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After two seasons in the Spanish league, Regnier – who represented Colombia in the Rio Olympics and is tipped for future success – returned to her home country and signed for America.
She said: “From the first moment the fans of America supported me, but some of the fans of Deportivo Cali have not taken it at all well.”
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Local reports said Regnier was insulted on her social media accounts and that the death threats started when she deleted snaps of herself wearing Deportivo’s colours.
She explained: “I deleted the pics four days before signing with America because it is a new era in my life. We are starting from zero and out of respect for the fans of America I could not be seen with the colours of another team.
“I never received threats in Spain. My pals in Atletico always wanted to come with me as I told them that Colombia was a peaceful country, but now I am scared about what might happen to me. I cannot go out in the street because I am not sure what will happen.”
She added: “The best fan is not the one who kills, but the one who is tolerant.”
Dimayor, Colombian football’s chief, released a statement supporting Regnier, saying: “We hope to get over this situation and call all fans to build a peaceful footballing world far from violence.”
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