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[SIZE=7]Colombian ambassador complains about Sun’s ‘GO KANE!’ front page[/SIZE]
Headline refers to country’s links to drug trade before World Cup match against England
Jim Waterson Media editor
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Harry Kane will be leading England in the knockout match against Colombia in the World Cup. Photograph: Eddie Keogh for the FA/Rex/Shutterstock
Colombia’s ambassador to the UK has complained after the Sun published a front page that referenced the country’s links to the cocaine trade in the run-up to Tuesday’s World Cup clash with England.
The headline reads: “As 3 Lions face nation that gave world Shakira, great coffee and er, other stuff, we say … GO KANE!” next to a picture of England striker Harry Kane.
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The front page of the UK’s biggest selling paper went down badly with Colombian embassy staff. Photograph: News UK
“It’s rather sad that they use such a festive and friendly environment as the World Cup to target a country and continue to stigmatise it with a completely unrelated issue,” said the ambassador, Néstor Osorio Londoño, who is hosting a party for Colombian fans in a traditional English pub on Tuesday.
“Respect, fair play and joy for the game is all that matters tonight. We’ll be cheering for Colombia and hoping we can all enjoy a great match.”
The ambassador also predicted it would be a high-scoring game, with Colombia winning 3-2.
Local Colombian media were unhappy with the front page, with the website of broadcaster Caracol TV saying the headline “caused great upset” to Colombians.
The Sun sent a reporter wearing an England shirt to Bogotá to interview Colombian fans about their fear of Kane’s goalscoring ability.
A spokesperson for the newspaper said: “Like the ambassador, we’re looking forward to a good game tonight against a great footballing nation.”
They said the front page was “suitably light-hearted considering the context” and said they hoped it would boost the Colombian coffee industry.
Hii game draw itaweza kweli? 1-1 perhaps at 90 min?
sweden watafunga.
So far 21 mins of nothing to talk about. Both teams are very cautious.
Ng,und25, Switzerland to qualify
What’s the matter with these burgers? everyone is wasting chances with sky shots!
Most boring game since we started this WC. How did these two teams make it to the round of 16?
HT sasa. Wale wa live bet pesa wapi? Mnaonaje 1-1 na HtFt XX?
Hii wachana nayo.
Djorou, Xhaxa.
Arsenal connection making the game dreary.
Hi kitu c ikwishe hivo…
Ngai! Leta hio penalty
Sweden ndani Switzerland out
Its like Sweden sneaked into the quarters.
Ferk! Hata Colombia wanaeza shinda
One of them even was top in their group kwani how poor were the other three wangepea our harambee direct nomination.