Colombian Football Federation: The Governing Body of Colombian Football
The Colombian Football Federation (Spanish: Federación Colombiana de Fútbol; FCF), also widely known as Colfútbol, serves as the primary governing authority for football, futsal, and beach soccer within Colombia. Established over a century ago, the FCF manages the national teams across various categories, including the men's and women's senior squads, as well as youth and futsal selections.
Operating as a member of both FIFA and CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation), the FCF ensures the growth and regulation of the sport across the nation, from grassroots amateur play to the highest levels of professional competition.
Key Facts
- Founded: 12 October 1924.
- FIFA Affiliation: 14 August 1936.
- Current President: Ramón Jesurún.
- Headquarters: Bogotá, Colombia.
- Governing Scope: Football, futsal, and beach soccer.
- Subordinate Bodies: Dimayor (professional) and Difutbol (amateur).
Organizational Structure and Governance
The FCF operates through a structured hierarchy to manage the diverse needs of the sport. It oversees two primary subordinate bodies:
- División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (Dimayor): This body governs professional club football, including the Primera and Segunda divisions, the Copa Colombia, and the Superliga Colombiana.
- División Aficionada del Fútbol Colombiano (Difutbol): This entity is responsible for organizing regional and amateur competitions.
The federation's visual identity is also a point of historical pride; the current logo was designed in 1971 by Rosalba Chiriví de Gélvez, a graduate of the National University of Colombia, under the commission of then-president Alfonso Senior Quevedo.
The Evolution of Colombian Football
Foundation and Early Recognition
The journey began in Barranquilla with the creation of the Liga de Football Atlántico on 12 October 1924. While the organization was founded early, it only received formal government recognition in 1927 via Resolution 34. By 1936, under the leadership of Carlos Lafaurie Roncallo, the organization expanded its membership to include other Caribbean cities and was renamed the Asociación Colombiana de Fútbol (Adefútbol).
Colombia's international journey began on 14 August 1936, when its membership was approved in principle during the FIFA Congress in Berlin, coinciding with the 1936 Summer Olympics.
The "El Dorado" Era and FIFA Suspension
The late 1940s marked a volatile yet exciting period known as El Dorado. Following the creation of the professional league in 1948 and the establishment of Dimayor, Colombian clubs began signing international stars, often bypassing FIFA's transfer regulations due to player strikes in other South American nations.
This practice led FIFA to suspend Colombian football on charges of "piracy." The nation was eventually readmitted on 24 October 1951 through the Pacto de Lima, agreeing to return foreign players by September 1954.
The Path to the Modern FCF
The 1960s were characterized by internal tensions between Adefútbol and Dimayor. In 1964, the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol (Fedebol) was created in Villa del Rosario, with Alfonso Senior Quevedo as president. After receiving provisional status from FIFA in 1966, the organization was formally established as the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol (Colfútbol) on 15 June 1971, with Eduardo Carbonell Insignares serving as its first president.
Infrastructure and Facilities
To support its athletes and administration, the FCF maintains three key facilities across the country:
- Administrative and Sporting Headquarters: Located in Bogotá.
- Casa de las Selecciones Colombia: A dedicated national teams training complex in Barranquilla, inaugurated on 13 October 2021.
- High-Performance Centre: A specialized facility located in Cali.
Summary of FCF Administration
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Ramón Jesurún | President |
| Álvaro González | Vice President |
| Carlos Zuguarla | 2nd Vice President |
| Andrés Tamayo | General Secretary |
| Iván Novella | Technical Director |
| Néstor Lorenzo | Head Coach (Men's senior) |
| Ángelo Marsiglia | Head Coach (Women's senior) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Colombian Football Federation founded?
The organization was founded on 12 October 1924, originally as the Liga de Football Atlántico in Barranquilla.
What was the "El Dorado" period in Colombian football?
El Dorado refers to a period starting in 1949 when Colombian clubs signed foreign stars outside of FIFA's transfer regulations, which eventually led to Colombia's temporary suspension from FIFA.
What is the difference between Dimayor and Difutbol?
Dimayor governs professional club football, including the top two divisions and national cups, while Difutbol organizes amateur and regional competitions.
Why did Colombia relinquish the 1986 World Cup hosting rights?
In November 1982, President Belisario Betancur announced that Colombia could not host the 1986 FIFA World Cup because the country was unable to meet FIFA's infrastructure requirements.
Where is the national teams' training complex located?
The "Casa de las Selecciones Colombia" is located in Barranquilla and was inaugurated on 13 October 2021.