Pablo Armero’s participation at Copa America 2016 is in doubt, just days before the tournament will begin.
Police arrested Armero on Tuesday at a Miami Beach hotel on domestic violence allegations, according to The Associated Press. The Colombia national team left back is accused of committing simple battery on the mother of his children around 9:30 a.m. following a night out drinking.
Miami’s WSVN-TV on Wednesday provided further details on the alleged incident.
“Miami Beach Police said Armero became irate with a woman with whom he’d been out drinking,” WSVN reported. “She said that when she refused his advances, he yanked a chain off her neck, pulled out her hair extensions and began cutting her hair with clippers.”
Armero, 29, remained in custody Wednesday on a $1,500 bond.
Colombia-based journalist Carl Worswick reported a further update on the legal proceedings.
Armero has played 66 games for his country since 2008, including three at Copa America 2015 and five at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Colombia will open Copa America 2016 on Friday when it takes on the United States at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Why Armero and his partner were out drinking until the early morning just four days before Copa America starts on the other side of the country is a mystery. It seems to be one massive error in judgment after another.
Armero’s club, Udinese, likely will take a dim view of his arrest, as will Colombia soccer officials and his teammates.
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