Chile footballer Vidal cleared of suspicion in sexual assault case
The woman accused Vidal, 37, and other players from his first-division Colo Colo side of sexual assault at a club, where the footballers were celebrating a birthday on November 4.
'We were able to reconstitute the events of that day and, ultimately, there is no evidence to support charges,' prosecutor Felipe Cembrano said in a video sent to the media.
Other unnamed members of Vidal's team remain under investigation, however.
Former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter Milan midfielder Vidal returned last year to Colo Colo, where he started his career at 17.
He was part of the so-called 'Golden Generation' that led Chile to victory in the 2015 Copa America.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
20 hours ago
- Arab News
‘Winning titles in the future' drives Mueller as he joins Whitecaps
MONTREAL: Germany and Bayern Munich great Thomas Mueller said Thursday he remains focused on winning titles as he prepares for Major League Soccer life with the Vancouver Whitecaps. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Whitecaps officially unveiled their new signing one week after he inked a deal through the end of the 2025 MLS season, with an option for 2026. Mueller, whose tenure with Bayern Munich included 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League triumphs, said his move to North America doesn't mean his appetite for trophies has decreased. 'I was always a competitive guy during my whole life, and my love is to play, to play soccer,' the 35-year-old said. 'And my body feels, even in (this) stage of my career, too good to retire. 'I know that a player with my career coming to Vancouver (is) creating a little bit of a hype,' added Mueller, who helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014 but retired from international duty last year. 'And we want to stay on the hype train as long as possible.' The Whitecaps are in second place in the Western Conference, four points behind San Diego and one in front of Minnesota. Vancouver sporting director Axel Schuster called Mueller's arrival 'the greatest day since I have joined the club.' 'It's a great time and a good time to be a Vancouver Whitecaps supporter,' he added. Mueller indicated he was hoping to take the field with his new team on Sunday when the Whitecaps host Houston Dynamo FC, although coach Jesper Sorensen did not confirm the new arrival's availability. Nevertheless, Mueller made it clear he is laser-focused on his Whitecaps future. 'It's not about winning titles in the past,' he said. 'It's winning titles in the future. That's what motivates me.'
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
RIYADH: Football legend and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique is bringing Kings League, the game that revolutionized online football gaming, to the Middle East and North Africa region, with Saudi Arabia at its heart. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Spanish defender inaugurated Kings League MENA last night as part of the ongoing Esports World Cup, where the new team presidents from the region were also announced. Pique started Kings League in Spain in 2023, and after a successful first launch has since expanded to other leagues worldwide including Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Hispanic America, and the US. On how he envisions the Kings League gaming community to look like in the MENA region, Pique told Arab News: 'Very young, very motivated, very committed to the product and the project. 'I'm sure that there will be a lot of intensity, a lot of clashes (between streamer fans), this is what we want. 'We want them to care and want to win, and that they dedicate everything they have to winning.' The unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind, adding more creativity and free reign with secret weapons or 'golden cards,' unlimited substitutions, sin bins, and penalty shoot-outs after every draw. Kings League was also created in a way that brings together fans with their most beloved content creators and streamers taking the role of team presidents in each region. The MENA teams and their presidents were announced to be SXB FC, led by Ahmed Alqahtani from Saudi Arabia, Ultra Chmicha led by Morroccan Ilyas Elmaliki, Red Zone led by Jordanian Maher Sultaneh, 3BS led by Jordanian Hani AlQoublam, FWZ FC led by Kuwaiti Fawaz Hamad, Turbo led by Egyptian Saleh Tarboun, and DR7 led by Saudi streamer Mafrah Aseeri. Elmaliki, Morroco's top streamer, was appointed president of Morocco's national team in the Kings World Cup Nations held in Italy where his team made it all the way to the semifinals. Ultra Chmicha was later invited by Pique to join the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 as the first wildcard team. Alqahtani's SXB FC was also picked as a wildcard for the Paris games, and their match against Jijantes FC drew a record breaking 950,000 live viewers, the tournament's highest. 'We have amazing streamers,' Pique said. 'They have huge communities that are very loyal to them.' 'They have to have good players because the level is very high in Kings League. But I know some of them, and I'm sure that that they will bring a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment and a good level of football.' Fans can now submit their application and try their chance at getting drafted to join one of the official Kings League MENA teams, potentially later qualifying for the Kings World Cup Clubs or represent their country in the Kings World Cup Nations Brazil 2026. Kings League MENA is a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment as part of an ongoing effort to expand digital sports and entertainment in the region. Having visited the Kingdom a few times before with Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup, Pique also told Arab News that he is always 'very happy when I come here. 'The food is amazing. And I think the people, you are very similar to Spanish people. 'When you arrive to the country, everything is very comfortable, so I'm enjoying it so much.'
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Al Arabiya
Al Nassr signs Martinez after he leaves Barcelona
Spain defender Inigo Martinez has joined Al Nassr after leaving Spain's champions Barcelona, the Saudi Pro League club announced on Sunday. Martinez is the second big signing for Al Nassr Jorge Jesus side this summer, after the Saudi club signed the Portuguese forward Joao Felix from Chelsea. For more Saudi sports news, visit our dedicated page. 'Al Nassr club company officially signed a contract with the Spanish star Inigo Martinez as a free agent,' the club said in a statement. 'Inigo's contract will be valid until 2026' Al Nassr added. The 34-year-old defender, who won the domestic treble with Barcelona last season, started his career at Real Sociedad before moving to Athletic Bilbao in 2018. Martinez, who joined Barca in 2023, has earned 21 caps. Al Nassr, after extending Cristiano Ronaldo's contract for two more seasons, is preparing to face Al Ittihad in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup on 19 August.
