Chile must put the focus back on football when the 2015 Copa America hosts take on Bolivia tonight.
It’s been a tough week for the team, as star-forward Arturo Vidal was involved in a drunk-driving accident following the team’s 3-3 draw against Mexico on Monday.
[ RELATED: Vidal charged with DUI after crash ]
Vidal escaped any jail-time, but had his license revoked as the striker must report to the Chilean consulate in Milan while he is in Italy playing for Juventus.
Chile’s manager Jorge Sampaoli has not suspended Vidal, who currently leads all players in the Copa America with three goals, and he is likely to start against Bolivia in his side’s final match of the group stage.
[ FOLLOW LIVE: Mexico takes on Ecuador; Chile and Bolivia battle for first place ]
Alexis Sanchez, Vidal’s strike-partner for Chile, has told his teammate to atone for his mistakes on the pitch, and said the team is fully behind the Juventus man.I told him “Arturo, you better bust your a**.”
It’s very hard what happened with him but as a group, the least we can do is put up with it as a team.
The important thing is that Arturo, his wife and everyone else are well. The case of Arturo should now close and we can concentrate on the Copa America.”
Chile and Bolivia are currently tied atop Group A, as a win for the hosts would clinch first place heading into the knockout rounds. La Roja will need Vidal to continue to produce, after scoring the game-winner against Ecuador and tallying twice against Mexico.