Chile star midfielder, Arturo Vidal faces assault allegations

The Santiago prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that Chilean football star Arturo Vidal, alongside other players from his first-division Colo Colo team, is under investigation for alleged involvement in a sexual assault incident.

The probe began following a complaint, though no arrests have been made as of yet. The prosecutor’s office has withheld the names of the other players involved.

Chilean media reports indicate that the alleged assault occurred in the early hours of Monday at a nightclub in Santiago, where several Colo Colo players were reportedly celebrating a birthday.

Police chief Gerardo Aravena confirmed that Vidal, a 37-year-old veteran midfielder with a history of playing for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Inter Milan, was brought to a police station for an identity check.

Vidal, an influential figure in Chilean football, has made 142 appearances for the national team, scoring 34 goals.

This investigation follows recent news about former Chilean international Jorge Valdivia, who was placed in preventive custody last week on charges of rape.

The allegations against both high-profile players have sparked widespread media coverage and public concern in Chile.

Valdivia denied the charges, saying he had “a consensual relationship with an adult woman.”

He was part of the so-called “Golden Generation” that led Chile to victory in the 2015 Copa America. He also played for the national team in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.