"Asprilla, you must give us permission to kill him", the brawl that could have cost Chilavert his life

April 1997, in the Asuncion stadium, Paraguay and Colombia face each other for qualifying for the 1998 French World Cup. During the match, striker Tino Asprilla, an old acquaintance of Parma, and goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert are the protagonists of a brawl. Both are expelled and the Paraguayan punches the Colombian in the face, triggering a maxi fight. Until today no one knew that this clash could have tragic consequences. Asprilla, the protagonist of a TV program about his life, said that the day after the match a drug dealer asked him for "authorization" to kill Chilavert. "There were two hit men ready to stop in Paraguay. They were just waiting for the order to kill the goalkeeper, "he said in the program broadcast on Telepacifico. The go-ahead of the attacker never arrived. "Have you gone mad?" – was Asprilla's answer – What happens on the field, remains in the field ».