http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/4965822

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - A judge has ordered the early release of the man who killed Colombian soccer star Andres Escobar for scoring an own-goal in the 1994 World Cup loss to the United States.

Escobar's father, Dario, condemned the judge's decision to free Humberto Munoz from jail on Thursday after serving just 11 years of a 43-year sentence.

"Frankly, there is no justice in Colombia," Escobar told local radio. "For me, Colombian justice is a deception, it deceived the country and our family by saying he (Munoz) would be put behind bars for 43 years, and now this murderer is free."

The judge in Medellin, Colombia's second-biggest city, announced late Wednesday that he had ordered the release of Munoz early due to good behavior and because he studied while in prison. Munoz was expected to walk out of prison later Thursday. The judge's name was not released by justice officials, citing security concerns.

Munoz shot Escobar on July 2, 1994, in the parking lot of a nightclub in Medellin days after the 27-year-old player accidentally kicked the ball into his own team's net in a match against the United States.

The United States won 2-1, eliminating Colombia from the World Cup.

Thousands turned out for Escobar's funeral, including then-President Cesar Gaviria, who said he was the victim of "absurd violence" afflicting the country.

But players in Colombia, where soccer is revered, continue to be targeted by threats and intimidation. At least two former professional players have been killed in the past three years.

Dario Escobar urged Colombian courts to hand down tougher punishments.

"I don't know what Colombian judges are doing," he said. "There are criminals who are sentenced to lengthy terms and in no time they are free."


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I'd say this is very sad. They should be TOUGH on people like this.

For those that are too young or don't remember, Escobar's own goal was not really a blunder. Had he not intercepted the ball, there was an American (I forget who) that was waiting to put the ball away. It would PROBABLY have been a goal regardless. Escobar really had to lunge just to make contact with the ball and was unlucky to steer the ball into his own net.

However, regardless of had it been an eggregious blunder or not, OF COURSE there is no excuse to kill him! To let scum like that out after just 11 years? Just not right.

RIP Escobar.

They should be tough you're right, I rember reading once that they'd released a serial killer who was serving life, after only 13 years. Totally Off Topic but it is really bad the Colombian justice system.

They should had sent him out to the jungle wearing a Colombian Military outfit.. see how long the FARC (sp?) would had taken to find him and shoot him in the head.. incredible..

What a joke. Much of his family is still in tatters and they released his killer, who (If you read the ACTUAL story of what happened) killed him for a stupid stupid reason.

Was not so much the own goal, but it was taunting about the own goal that led to it. I have the article somewhere in a magazine.

Either way, this scum should go back to jail where he belongs, footballers make mistakes, and people get angry, but sometimes extremes are taken too far.

He will probably be killed without a doubt. Revenge is served cold in Colombia

i hate it when prisinors get released early

I played in a team named Andres Escobar, dedicated in his memory, though I am Paraguayan It is said to see that happen to any footballer, The team plays in Queens, NY.

Released from jail because of good behaviour and studied in prison.
Absolute joke.

worse then Moacir Barbosa (the goalie vilified for Brasil 1950 WC Final loss to Uruguay) life sentence just for that loss.

Disgraceful. They should Resume the death Penalty for the Escobar's Murderer.

Yeah well this news is very old becuase the gunmen was releaesed over a year ago, chances are the gunmen dead by now

I use to play on a team called Andres Escobar here in NYC, it was dedicated in his memory. R.I.P.

43-year sentence and he is released after 11 years!? That's just absurd.

Why the hell did they release him so soon?

Thats unbelievable. Their should be no exceptions to murder sentences.