SAO PAULO: Colombia have protested about their treatment by Brazilian security after their late-night arrival in Sao Paulo’s Congonhas airport writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The Colombians were returning to their base at nearby Coutis after an opening 3-0 win over Greece in Belo Horizonte.

Trouble erupted between security officers and Colombian federation staff even before the delegation boarded the bus for the road trip back to their training camp.

The Colombians then complained later that the police escort insisted on travelling all the way at only 20kmh to the annoyance of the tired players and officials.

Mauricio Correa, a Colombian federation spokesman, said: “They pushed some people from our staff. We have already made the complaint to FIFA and asked for immediate replacement of all the police concerned.”

On its website the Colombian federation, in a statement, said: “The football team of Colombia deplores the actions of the Federal Police of São Paulo personnel assigned to security delegation, who repeatedly put at risk the security of players and coaches. The Colombian Football Federation has officially asked FIFA to seek an immediate solution to the problems.”

The Colombians’ complaint drew only a bland response from the Justice Ministry’s Special Secretariat for Security at Major Events.

Its own statement said: “All national teams receive the same treatment, as outlined in the World Cup security plan. All necessary measures to guarantee the security of the Colombian team in all their travels in Brazil have been taken.”

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