The China Mail - Colombia court bans pro-Trump candidate from using jersey as symbol

After a closely fought first round vote that De la Espriella won by a narrow margin, he and left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda are heading to a June 21 runoff.

Cepeda on Monday accused the 47-year-old millionaire lawyer of "stealing" and appropriating the jersey, just as former far-right Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro did with his own country's iconic kit.

The pro-Trump frontrunner, who has pledged to get tough on Colombia's armed groups, often wears the jersey at public events, ahead of the World Cup which begins on June 11.

A judge in Bogota on Thursday ordered the "immediate and definitive cessation" of the political use of the jersey.

The item may not be used "as an identifying symbol of his political party, his campaign, or his personal image in public squares or through any medium," the ruling stated.

Having nicknamed himself "The Tiger," some of De la Espriella's supporters sport football jerseys bearing the creature's head. They also perform the military salute he has championed at rallies.

De la Espriella garnered 43.7 percent of Sunday's vote, compared to 40.9 percent for Cepeda, who had been the favorite.

Colombian cities are filling up with tricolors as fans gear up for the kickoff of the world's biggest football bonanza.

The politicization of the sports garment has caused discomfort among Colombia's left but has been cheered by the political right, who view wearing the jersey as an act of "patriotism."

Colombia will play its opening World Cup game on June 17 against Uzbekistan.

C.Mak--ThChM