Chilean authorities said Monday they are investigating an alleged sexual assault case involving players at soccer club Colo Colo, including former international Arturo Vidal.
Chilean football player Arturo Vidal is facing serious charges after being arrested in the early hours of Monday in a state of complete intoxication.
The Chilean midfielder is embroiled in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through both the sports and social spheres.
On Monday morning, Vidal was taken into custody at the 37th Police Station in Vitacura, Santiago, after being seen at a local bar intoxicated. However, the incident did not end there, as he could face severe allegations that may jeopardize his professional career.
The trouble began hours after Vidal started as a titular player in the match where Colo Colo triumphed over Deportes Iquique with a resounding 3-0 victory. In a celebratory mood following the win and the birthday of teammate Lucas Cepeda, the team gathered at a popular bar in the area.
This celebration proceeded normally until an unexpected event changed the course of the night.
According to information provided by local newspaper La Tercera, a woman who was present at the same establishment as the players made a serious allegation: she claimed to have been a victim of intoxication due to a substance, suggesting that she may have been drugged. The seriousness of the situation quickly impacted the surroundings: the victim’s sister took the lead in making a formal complaint, prompting prompt intervention by local authorities in the case.
The bar manager stated that the players’ celebration had begun in a reserved and controlled manner, but that the situation changed drastically. After displaying visible signs of having consumed a substance, the woman’s condition raised alarm among those present, escalating the private event into a public matter.
A local police officer told journalists that Vidal, 37, was taken to a Vitacura police station, where he went through “an investigative identity check.
“That is a standard procedure for suspects of crimes.”
Vidal, who was released after the check, did not comment on the incident.
Police also said other players went through similar procedures and have testified about the incident.
As investigations continue, the Chilean Prosecutor’s Office is tasked with determining the extent of Arturo Vidal’s involvement in the case.
