A Bogotá judge prohibited presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and his campaign from using the Colombia national football team shirt for political purposes [1].

The ruling establishes a legal boundary between national sporting symbols and political campaigning in Colombia. By restricting the use of the jersey, the court addresses the potential politicization of symbols that represent national unity rather than a specific candidate.

The decision was issued June 4, 2026 [2], by the Juzgado 120 Penal Municipal in Bogotá [1]. The order follows a tutela filed by a private citizen, who argued that incorporating the national team shirt into a political campaign violated regulations regarding the use of national symbols [3].

The judge ordered the immediate suspension of the shirt's use in campaign activities to prevent the misuse of these symbols [1]. The legal action focuses on the distinction between personal expression and the strategic use of national identity to gain electoral advantage [3].

While the ruling specifically targets de la Espriella, the case has sparked a wider debate about the limits of freedom of expression during election cycles. Some observers suggest the ruling could set a precedent for how other candidates utilize national imagery, including flags and official colors, in their promotional materials [3].

In response to the broader controversy, José Manuel Restrepo said, "Usaré la camiseta de la Selección Colombia cuando se me dé la gana porque soy libre" [4].

“A Bogotá judge prohibited presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and his campaign from using the Colombia national football team shirt”

This judicial intervention highlights the tension between individual liberty and the protected status of national symbols in Colombia. By ruling that a national team jersey cannot be used as a campaign tool, the court is signaling that symbols of collective identity are exempt from partisan appropriation, potentially narrowing the visual strategies candidates can use to signal patriotism.