Former Colombian international goalkeeper René Higuita will receive US$17,344 from the Colombian government due to his illegal arrest and detainment back in 1993. The decision was handed down today by the Colombian Constitutional Court which condemned the government’s actions against the former Atlético Nacional goalkeeper.
Before Makeover After Makeover
Higuita was then being accused of illegally mediating in kidnapping negotiations and was put in jail for six months without a trial. This was the reason he was awarded with the equivalent of 70 minimum salary wages as well as for any prejudice and inconveniences that his wife and two children endured during his time in jail.
What Higuita did not obtain was the compensation by the government of moneys lost for not being able to fulfill any football-related contract or sponsorship deals during that time.
That period of time in jail ultimately affected his participation in the 1994 World Cup. After being jailed, Higuita was not part of the Colombian team that qualified for the tournament, and his fitness was not up to par after such a long period of inactivity. Higuita’s place was ultimately taken by a young goalkeeper named Oscar Córdoba. Córdoba then became one of the greatest keepers in the world as he would obtain two Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors and a Turkish Superleague title with Besiktas.
Higuita in his own right is one of the most recognizable figures in world football. His Scorpion kick at Wembley Stadium made waves worldwide. But it was his unorthodox style of goalkeeping that helped revolutionize that position. Higuita along with contemporaries like José Luis Chilavert made goalkeepers become yet another position and more importantly they were a legitimate offensive threat passing the ball and scoring off set pieces. Higuita won a Copa Libertadores (1989) and the Copa Interamericana.
Higuita, 41, presently plays for second division side Deportivo Rionegro and looks to be ready in order to end his career officially with Atlético Nacional.
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