American Marconi Wireless News - Colombia right-winger accused of 'stealing' national jersey

Like former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who turned his country's iconic jersey into a partisan symbol, De la Espriella has sought to cloak his campaign in Colombia's yellow colors -- just weeks before the World Cup.

"Mr de la Espriella is used to stealing things, now he's stealing the Colombian national team jersey," Cepeda said a day after the first round of voting, which was won by De la Espriella.

The 47-year-old stormed from behind in recent weeks on a tough-on-crime platform that has powered victories by the right across Latin America.

He garnered 43.7 percent of the vote, compared to 40.9 percent for Cepeda, who had been the favorite.

The two now head into a June 21 run-off dominated by concerns over worsening violence by cocaine-trafficking guerrillas.

At a victory rally Sunday night, De la Espriella, his wife and their four children were all clad in the country's football jersey.

His rallies have also been awash in yellow, capitalizing on football fever in the run-up to the World Cup.

Colombia will play its opening game on June 17 against Uzbekistan.

"When did the Colombian national team become the property of Mr de la Espriella's campaign?" Cepeda, 63, asked at a press conference as he launched his second-round race. "The national team belongs to all of us."

David Quitian, an anthropologist specializing in sports, told AFP said De la Espriella was seeking to unite "sporting passion with political passion."

Catalina Devia, a 42‑year‑old De la Espriella supporter who wore a yellow jersey to vote on Sunday, said she did so "out of patriotism."

X.Karnes--AMWN