Colombian Football Federation

Colombian Football Federation
CONMEBOL
Founded12 October 1924; 99 years ago (1924-10-12)
HeadquartersBarranquilla
FIFA affiliation1936
CONMEBOL affiliation1936
PresidentRamón Jesurún
Websitewww.fcf.com.co
Logo until 2023

The Colombian Football Federation (in Spanish: Federación Colombiana de Fútbol) is the governing body of football in Colombia. It was founded in 1924 and has been affiliated to FIFA since 1936. It is a member of CONMEBOL and is in charge of the Colombia national football team[1][2] and the Colombia women's national football team [3]

The Colombian soccer league was first formed in 1948 though some teams existed before that. The Colombian Football League and Federation had a dispute with FIFA that led to the league and federation spending its early years outside of the FIFA organization. Because of the dispute, its national teams were suspended from international play.

The 50s and 60s were dominated by Colombian domestic football in the Colombian football league, and the 90s were dominated by solid performances from the National team. The national team and the federation achieved great success reaching all three World Cups in the '90s.

The Colombian football team succeeded to unite colombian people after the 2014 Men’s World Cup, where they reached the quarter finals. This performance countered some negative stereotypes and “attempted to dismantle the way in which the nation tended to be perceived, both domestically and externally” [4](Watson, 2018). Football really allowed all people from all colors, religions and beliefs to be united around this sport: “It does not matter which political party you may belong to, nor what religion you have, it does not matter what the differences may be. Even those people with whom we are talking today to end the armed conflict, they too will be supporting you. All Colombia will be supporting you” [5](President of the Republic, 2014). The Colombian soccer team was and is still today carrying a message, for example peace message: “We will be with the national team through the good and the bad moments, accompanying them until the end, and wishing, alongside the squad that represents the Colombia that we want to see united, representing the same nation that we ourselves belong to, that we will be playing entirely for Peace”[6](El País, 12 June 2014).

Santos pushed the idea that football could bring the country together. He talked about it a lot and even used Twitter to get the message out. Football was his favorite sport to promote because it was so popular. He saw it as a way for people to come together and maybe even make peace. Some experts agreed, saying Santos was smart to use football to reach people. He wasn't a super fan himself, but he knew it was important to lots of Colombians. Still, some people were worried that his love for football might mix up with politics, especially during tough times like when they were trying to make peace with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels. President Santos emphasized the importance of restoring football to a safe, enjoyable environment, promising government support for sports during his tenure. Unlike past examples where football was used merely for entertainment or to mask social issues, Santos' approach involves a deeper integration of football into society for its benefit and development. He has seen football as an important tool for social development and national unity since he became president in 2010.

Politicians need to make sure their messages are heard by as many people as possible. With new technology like the internet and social media, they can reach even more people. Santos, for example, used football as a way to share his ideas about unity and peace. Even during tough times, like when they were trying to make peace with the FARC rebels, he talked about how everyone in Colombia supports the national football team. This helped bring people together, even those who might have been on different sides before. Football wasn't just a game; it became a way to show pride in Colombia and its people. Santos even used matches as opportunities to talk about important issues, like how hard work can lead to success, which then got shared in newspapers and on TV. Law 1445, enacted under President Santos, targets three key aspects of football: regulating club finances to prevent money laundering, protecting players' rights, and combating stadium violence. The law imposes transparency on club ownership, bans individuals from controlling multiple clubs, and imposes severe penalties for violence. It aims to rid football of organized crime influence, fostering a safer and more family-friendly environment. Its introduction has been met with widespread approval.

The Colombian Football Federation today focuses on the development of physical culture through football. Their vision is to be a nationally and internationally recognized organization. They have a big focus on youth and the future which is seen through its development.

In January 2024 the Colombian Football Federation met with the leaders of the CONMEBOL Evolution program which focuses on the development of South American Football. The FCF is partnering with CONMEBOL to strengthen and further develop Grassroots Soccer, women's soccer, Futsal, and Beach soccer in all communities in Colombia and South America.

In January the Colombian Football Federation started the Master in High-Performance Football which aims to expand the knowledge and training of their coaching staff for their youth boys and girls national programs. The program was developed in alliance with MBP School of Coaches based in Barcelona, with the educational program consisting of individual and collective tactics, training methodology, and physical and psychological aspects of football. The education program is set to last 8 months.

Presidents

  • 1936: Carlos Lafourie Roncallo
  • 1948: Bernardo Jaramillo García
  • 1951: Eduardo Carbonell Insignares
  • 1957: Efraín Borrero
  • 1957: Rafael Fernández
  • 1958: Efraín Borrero
  • 1961: Pedro Nery López
  • 1962: Luis Benedetti Gómez
  • 1964: Eduardo Carbonell Insignares
  • 1964: Alfonso Senior Quevedo
  • 1971: Eduardo Carbonell Insignares
  • 1975: Alfonso Senior Quevedo
  • 1982: León Londoño Tamayo
  • 1992: Juan José Bellini
  • 1995: Hernán Mejía Campuzano (interim)
  • 1996: Álvaro Fina Domínguez
  • 2002: Óscar Astudillo Palomino
  • 2006: Luis Bedoya Giraldo
  • 2015–present: Ramón Jesurún Franco
Name Position Source
Colombia Ramón Jesurún President [7]
Colombia Álvaro González Vice President [8]
Colombia Fernando Jaramillo 2nd Vice President [9]
Colombia Andres Tamayo General Secretary [10]
n/a Treasurer
Colombia Iván Novella Technical Director [11]
Argentina Néstor Lorenzo Team Coach (Men's) [12]
Colombia Nelson Aradia Team Coach (Women's) [13]
Colombia Juan Mejía Media/Communications Manager [14]
Colombia Jorge Correa Pastrana Futsal Coordinator [15]
Colombia Ricardo Hoyos 2nd Futsal Coordinator [16]
Colombia Carlos Camargo Referee Coordinator [17]
Colombia Emmerson González 2nd Referee Coordinator [18]

References

  1. ^ Dunmore, Tom (16 September 2011). Historical Dictionary of Soccer. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810871885. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Cárdenas, Alexander (4 March 2017). The Global Journey of Football: From the Origins of the Beautiful Game to Its Recent Use as a Social Catalyst. Anchor Academic Publishing (aap_verlag). ISBN 9783954892358. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Colombia women's national football team", Wikipedia, 2024-03-04, retrieved 2024-03-04
  4. ^ Watson, Peter J. (November 2018). "Colombia's Political Football: President Santos' National Unity Project and the 2014 Football World Cup". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 37 (5): 598–612. doi:10.1111/blar.12634. ISSN 0261-3050.
  5. ^ Watson, Peter J. (November 2018). "Colombia's Political Football: President Santos' National Unity Project and the 2014 Football World Cup". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 37 (5): 598–612. doi:10.1111/blar.12634. ISSN 0261-3050.
  6. ^ Watson, Peter J. (November 2018). "Colombia's Political Football: President Santos' National Unity Project and the 2014 Football World Cup". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 37 (5): 598–612. doi:10.1111/blar.12634. ISSN 0261-3050.
  7. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  8. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  9. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  10. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  11. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  12. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  13. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  14. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  15. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  16. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  17. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  18. ^ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Colombia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-12.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Federación Colombiana de Fútbol.
  • FCF website
  • Colombia FIFA profile
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