It’s a good thing Arturo Vidal plays for the home team. Otherwise, he’d have bigger problems than replacing his $365,000 Ferrari.
A judge in Chile banned Vidal form driving for four months Wednesday after he crashed his Ferrari and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol the previous night, according to the Associated Press. More important than Vidal’s brush with the law is that Chile’s national team will allow him to continue playing in the 2015 Copa America, which the South American country is hosting and hoping to win.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said at a press conference he wouldn’t punish Vidal harshly.
“I don’t like to remove or exclude someone for making a mistake,” Sampaoli said, according to the Associated Press.
Vidal issued a tearful apology at the same press conference.
“I want say I’m sorry to my teammates, to the coaching staff, to the people — to the entire country,” Vidal said. “I want to say I’m sorry, too, to the other people involved in an accident that was my fault.”
Vidal, 28, is one of Chile’s top players, and the host-nation’s chances of winning this year’s Copa America are better with the skillful and powerful midfielder than without him. Vidal currently leads the tournament in goal scoring, netting three times in Chile’s first two games.
Vidal wrecks Ferrari, arrested (photos, video) >>
Thumbnail photo via Natacha Pisarenko/The Associated Press
