Bomb Thrown At Colombian Soccer Star’s House

Assailants threw a small explosive device at the home of Rene Higuita, ex-goalkeeper for Colombia’s national soccer team and one of the country’s best-known players, police said.

There were no injuries.

The attack occurred Sunday in Medellin, 185 miles northwest of Bogota. Higuita and his family were not at home at the time. An employee of the family was inside the home but was not injured.

The small bomb damaged the front of the home and shattered windows at Higuita’s house and nearby homes.

“I’m surprised it happened,” Higuita told RCN radio. “I haven’t received any threats and I have no enemies.”

Gen. Alfredo Salgado, Medellin’s police chief, said two assailants threw the explosive, then sped away on a motorcycle. He said police have made no arrests and have no suspects. The motive for the attack was not clear.

Higuita recently quit both the national team and Colombian league team Atletico Nacional of Medellin, citing personal problems and claiming he no longer was capable of competing at the international level.

Higuita was imprisoned for seven months in 1993 for receiving $50,000 to help negotiate the release of a kidnapped girl, a crime in Colombia. He was later exonerated.

In July 1994, gunmen killed Colombian soccer star Andres Escobar in Medellin shortly after the defender scored a goal into his own net that helped eliminate Colombia from the 1994 World Cup.