..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Inzaghi sacking was understandable - Gamarra

AC Milan youngster Sebastian Gamarra says the sacking of Filippo Inzaghi to make way for new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was a natural response to the club’s struggling form.

Inzaghi was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after his sole season in charge had seen Milan finish in 10th position in Serie A, with former Sampdoria boss Mihajlovic being swiftly appointed in his place.

And Gamarra, who first played under Inzaghi in 2012 in the Rossoneri’s youth side and was a part of the first-team squad last season, has told Goal that the players understand results hadn’t been good enough for the former striker to remain as coach.

“It is a choice the club has made and we are content because we know things hadn’t gone too well. But Inzaghi, for me, has always been a great coach and I have worked a lot with him,” said the 18-year-old Bolivian.

“But things move on and now Mihajlovic is the new coach. I’m certain we are in great hands and I’m hoping to get to know him very soon.”

Gamarra is currently participating at the Copa America with his national side, and he believes the Verde’s excellent progress so far in Group A - they are second with one game to go - will help him longer term as he looks to push for regular first team involvement at San Siro.

“This will definitely help me grow as it is a unique experience. Ultimately I was to grow and the players in the Bolivia squad talk a lot about their experiences, so this will help me to reach a higher level more quickly.”

With his contract 12 months from expiry, Gamarra claims he is open to the possibility of a loan move but is adamant that he wants to be a Milan player in the longer term.

“Right now I still have another year on my contract and I want to get better and to always grow. I could stay at Milan or go out on loan but what I really want is to make my debut for Milan.”

While the Rossoneri are being linked to a number of top stars after the recent addition of Thai entrepreneur Bee Taechaubol to the board, Gamarra believes there are a number of potential future Milan regulars already on the club’s books.

“We have a youth set-up with many players who have an immense future. Right now we have a great primavera team, but now we must show we can grow a lot because there are lots of differences between the primavera and the first team.
“It is a tough climb, but we are all attempting to get into the first team squad as soon as possible.”

Gamarra made his Bolivia debut in a 5-0 loss to Argentina ahead of the Copa America and could play a part in Friday’s clash with hosts Chile in Santiago.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arturo Vidal detained after car crash

Arturo Vidal has been detained by police in Santiago after crashing his Ferrari while driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Juventus midfielder had been travelling with his wife when he lost control and crashed into a white vehicle. Vidal escaped unharmed while his wife suffered a minor injury to her elbow.

Vidal took to Twitter to state that no-one was seriously hurt in the incident, but Police Coronel Gonzalez later confirmed that the 28-year-old had been drinking and was being detained.

Gonzalez stated: "The driver of the red car was under the influence of alcohol. He is being detained and will be moved on Wednesday to the courtroom."

Vidal has been Chile's star of the Copa America tournament so far, where he is attempting to guide his nation to their first ever title on home soil. He has struck three goals in two matches and was expected to start Friday's final group match against Bolivia at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago.

It is not the first time that Vidal is involved in an incident involving alcohol. In 2011 Chile football federaton (ANFP) sanctioned four players for problems with their discipline, including Vidal.

Furthermore, his indiscretion is unlikely to be received well by the Chilean people, who have suffered from a disconnect with the players at this tournament.

After the victory over Ecuador on Thursday Claudio Bravo criticised their support during the match, saying: "Playing at home it isn't normal that the people jeer.

"There are a lot of periods of silence. It's not just me saying this, it's the general feeling. When things aren't going well for us, we need more."

Local journalists in Chile have already taken a stance on Vidal and there is a question mark over whether he will be allowed to continue his involvement in the tournament.

Manuel de Tezanos, a prominent TV anchor in Chile, said: "He's s*** over his team-mates, his coach, the shirt and, most seriously, the people who dreamed of this cup. There are 17 million of us."
The ANFP and coach Jorge Sampaoli will meet to discuss imposing a sanction on the midfielder and a statement is expected on Wednesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi: Uruguay didn't want to play football against Argentina


Lionel Messi accused Uruguay of doing little else other than trying to bully Argentina in Tuesday's Copa America clash.

Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of a bruising encounter in La Serena that featured six yellow cards and Argentina coach Gerardo Martino being sent to the stands in his side's 1-0 win.

Messi felt Oscar Tabarez's men were to blame for the ugly nature of the game, claiming his team-mates had been left with no choice but to fight fire with fire.

"Uruguay wanted to play hard with a lot of contact," the Barcelona superstar told reporters. "We demonstrated that we know how to play this way too, even if it is not the thing we want most.

"However, we tried to play at the same level during the whole game but Uruguay set out a very tight match. They did not want to play a lot."We tried to attack them from both flanks. They were expecting to recover the ball in order to play long.

"Luckily, we got Aguero's goal and then we fought, as that was what the game was asking for."It was a crucial victory for Argentina, who had blown a two-goal lead in drawing with Paraguay in their tournament-opener.

However, the 2014 World Cup runners-up are now top of Group B going into their final game, against winless Jamaica."Our goal is the same now as when we arrived," Messi added. "It was a pity the draw against Paraguay. We were leading 2-0 and we couldn't win.

"However, now we're where we wanted. We are on top and we get to rely on ourselves to qualify in the first position."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Marotta: Pogba off the market - unless he asks to leave Juventus

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta insists that Paul Pogba is "off the market" - unless the midfielder says that he wants to leave Turin.

Pogba is one of the most coveted players in world football, with European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City all interested in signing the 22-year-old.

Marotta has repeatedly stated that Juve have no intention of cashing in on the France international - but he has now acknowledged that the player will ultimately decide whether he stays with the Italian champions.

"He is a fundamental player in the Juventus squad," Marotta is quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

"Pogba is off the market, unless he says he wants to go. And he has not done that."
However, Barcelona presidential candidate Agusti Benedito claimed on Tuesday that he has spoken with both Juve and Pogba about a potential €80 million transfer to Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Marotta admitted that Carlos Tevez is likely to return to Boca Juniors this summer - despite still having a year to go on his Juve contract."Players are human and he has expressed a willingness to bring an end to a glorious career in Argentina," he added.

Tevez has been Juve's top scorer for the past two seasons, since joining from Manchester City, but has repeatedly stated his intention to see out his playing days at Boca, where he took his first steps as a professional.

Indeed, Boca revealed on Tuesday that club president Daniel Angelici has travelled to Chile to meet with Tevez, who is representing Argentina at the Copa America, and discuss his potential return to La Bombonera.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Henderson: I'm ready to take on the Liverpool captaincy


Jordan Henderson is confident he can replace Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain in the long term and is ready to take more responsibility in the Reds midfield ahead of the new season.

Henderson, who recently signed a contract extension at Anfield, is hotly tipped to be named as permanent captain by manager Brendan Rodgers following Gerrard's departure to the Los Angeles Galaxy and believes he has learned a lot from playing alongside the former England international for club and country.

"I've always wanted to take more responsibility, especially at the stage of my career I'm at," he told Goal.

"I feel I'm getting a bit older now, a bit more mature and of course I want to take more responsibility for the team but at the same time, I think it's up to all of us as a team to take more responsibility on the pitch and make sure we put in good performances.

"When I've been vice-captain I've just tried to do my best for the team as I always have and to learn as much as I can from Stevie, like I have from when I first came to the club. But we've got a lot of captains and a lot of leaders in the dressing room so I'm sure whoever he [Rodgers] picks, the lads will be right behind him.

"I've think I've learned a lot from Steven. I have from when I first came to the club, he's been a huge role model and leader to all of us. All of us have learned a lot from him; just being with him every day, training with him every day, you learn a lot from him."

Henderson admits that Gerrard will be missed after bringing his 17-year playing career at Liverpool to an end, but backs himself to fill the gap left by a player he describes as a role model in the Liverpool engine room.

The 25-year-old, who is battling it out with Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane to join Lionel Messi on the cover of FIFA 16, played 54 times for Liverpool last season and wore the captain's armband on 14 occasions.

"I think it'll be a big loss, not only as a player but as a person off the field," he added. "He's our leader so again he's going to be a huge loss but we need to make sure that the same thing doesn't happen as last season.

"We need to start well. We've got a good group of young players here who I feel have got a lot of potential and will do a lot of good things. So hopefully we have a good pre-season and start the season well."
Following a shaky start to the 2014-15 campaign, which saw them eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, Liverpool turned their season around, reaching the FA Cup and League Cup semi-finals and embarking on a three-month unbeaten run in the Premier League which put them back in top-four contention.

However, their season fizzled out after a costly defeat to Manchester United and ended with a cataclysmic 6-1 loss at Stoke City.

"All of us will be disappointed with the season," Henderson conceded. "Especially getting to two semi-finals and being close to qualifying for the Champions League.

"I think we can be disappointed that we haven't achieved the things we wanted to at the start of the season, but we need to make sure we learn from this season and improve all the time and next season we'll do better.

"At the start of the season we didn't start very well. The first few months sort of killed us, really, in terms of our flow and getting our momentum.

"Around the Christmas period and for a few months after that we hit a bit of form and we were unbeaten for a few months. Towards the end of the season I don't think we've been as good as we can be.

"It has been stop-start, so we have to make sure we improve on the things we have to improve on and also keep doing the things we've been doing well."

Henderson acknowledged that Champions League qualification was on Liverpool's list of priorities for next term but also identified the need to win a trophy for the club's fans.

"We're good enough to be challenging in the Champions League but I think also winning a trophy will be one of our ambitions next season," he said. "I think we're good enough to go and win a trophy and and that's what the fans really deserve and this club deserves."

"I think we've got a great group of players with a lot of potential, young players who are hungry and want to improve and do better. I think we've got a great chance next season to show people how good we are as a team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Boateng could rejoin AC Milan, claims agent

Kevin-Prince Boateng's agent has confirmed the attacking midfielder could rejoin AC Milan this summer.

The Ghana international spent three years at San Siro, winning the Serie A title in his first season at the club before departing for Schalke in August 2013.However, Boateng is now set to leave Gelsenkirchen after being suspended indefinitely by the Bundesliga club on May 11 following a loss to Koln.

The 28-year-old's representative, Federico Pastorello, is now weighing up offers for his client but admitted that a return to the Giuseppe Meazza is a possibility.
"Boateng to Milan? It's an idea we're working on," the agent wrote on Twitter.
"We're looking for the best solutions for this great player. AC Milan are certainly one of these."

Milan, who handed Sinisa Mihajlovic the coaching reins after sacking Filippo Inzaghi on Tuesday, are expected to spend big this summer in a bid to reclaim their place among Italy's elite after last season's dismal 10th-placed finish in Serie A.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Piero reveals coaching plans as he plots retirement

Alessandro Del Piero has revealed that he will call time on his playing career and turn his attention to coaching if he does not soon receive an offer from a club that interests him.

The 40-year-old attacker is unattached after a short spell with Delhi Dynamos in India and is now on the look-out for a new challenge.

However, the Juventus icon says that if he does not find one soon then he will start coaching, despite once claiming it was something he never wanted to do."If I don't find a convincing project, I will quit," Del Piero told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have received offers from some European clubs but they didn't do it for me.
"If you had asked me three years ago about coaching, I would have immediately said no because I had other interests."Now, though, everything is different. I'll start training kids in the United States. I'll do three coaching clinics."

Del Piero became Juve's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance-maker during a trophy-laden 19-year spell in Turin before leaving for Sydney FC in 2012.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matthaus: Schweinsteiger should leave Bayern for Man Utd

Lothar Matthaus has advised Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave Bayern Munich for Manchester United, arguing that coach Pep Guardiola no longer has faith in the veteran midfielder.

Schweinsteiger only made 28 appearances for the Bavarians last season, with his campaign having been interrupted by injuries.

Matthaus thinks the 30-year-old has fallen behind Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez in the pecking order and should jump at the opportunity to move to Old Trafford if Louis van Gaal's reported interest manifests itself in a formal bid.
"I can understand that Schweinsteiger is wondering about his future," the former Bayern ace wrote in his column in SportBild."Bastian announced that he wants to play football on the highest level until 2018. But in the way he was used at Bayern recently, I think this is impossible.

"There is no doubt he is intelligent enough and has the right overview to further take over the role as a conductor in the holding midfield.

"But it would be required to build the team around him, as is the case with Andrea Pirlo at Juventus. With Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal alongside Pirlo, there are two players who run and fight for him."But Pep Guardiola showed in the last 12 months that he is not that convinced of Schweinsteiger any more. He preferred Xabi Alonso.

"While the Spaniard played as the central midifelder in the important games, Schweinsteiger had to deal with other positions. Bastian never was the fastest and he won't get faster with age.

"Had Thiago and Javi Martinez been fit last season, Schweinsteiger would not have played in important games anymore!"

Consequently, while there has been talk of Schweinsteiger - who still has a year to run on his Bayern contract - continuing his career in MLS, Matthaus feels that his fellow World Cup winner should seek a move to Old Trafford."A switch to the USA would threaten Schweinsteiger's participation at the European Championships in France next year," the Italia 90 hero added.

"In the last stage of his career, Schweinsteiger needs a coach who fully trusts him and will tune the system around him."If Schweinsteiger gets an offer from a top European club, I would advise him a transfer in the summer.

"If the rumours are true that Louis van Gaal wants to bring him to Manchester United, Schweinsteiger should think about that carefully."If Van Gaal wants him, he will let him play where his strengths are."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Higuain going nowhere unless madman bids €100m'

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis insists Gonzalo Higuain is going nowhere - unless a "madman" decides to meet the striker's €100 million buy-out clause.

Higuain joined the Partenopei from Real Madrid for €40m in 2013 and has since netted 53 times in 102 outings in all competitions.

With Napoli having failed to qualify for next season's Champions League - and falling in the final qualifying round last term - speculation is rife that Higuain wants to leave the San Paolo for one of Europe's elite.However, De Laurentiis says he has no intention of cashing in on the Argentina international, who still has three years to run on his contract with the Serie A side.

"The papers don't know what they're writing," the Partenopei supremo said of the forward's reported unrest during an interview with Sky Sport Italia. "They're inventing a sea of lies."The contract will be respected. He'll only go if a madman offers the buy-out clause. However, Gonzalo still belongs to Napoli."

Higuain has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool said to be among his many suitors.

 

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No decision on Capello future with Russia, says RFS

The Russian Football Union (RFS) has revealed that no decision has been made over the future of Fabio Capello amid reports the national team head coach will resign when compensation has been agreed.Capello came in for criticism when Russia failed to to win a game at the World Cup last year and they now face a battle to qualify automatically for Euro 2016.

A 1-0 home defeat to Austria on Sunday ensured Capello's side are third in Group G, four points behind second-placed Sweden and eight adrift of the Austrians.

A group of Russia fans set up a website named 'Fabio go home' with a view to raising €22 million to buy the former England manager out of his contract and it was claimed Capello would be prepared to step down if terms could be agreed for a pay-off.

However, the RFS released a statement on Wednesday which said: "In connection with the information appeared yesterday on the possible resignation of Fabio Capello as head coach of the national team of Russia, the Russian Football Union said that at the moment a formal decision on this issue is not accepted.

"This issue will be discussed at the next meeting of the collegial body of the the RFS [the Board, the Office of the Executive Committee]. In case of further information, it will be immediately published on the official website of the RFS."
It was alleged in April that the RFS were still struggling to pay the wage stipulated in Capello's deal, which currently expires in 2018.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery: Doctor not to blame for injury woe

Franck Ribery insists that former Bayern Munich team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt is not to blame for his ongoing injury issues.

The Frenchman, who missed last summer's World Cup with a persistent back complaint, has been out of action since March 11 with an ankle problem.

The winger had hoped to return to full training on July 1 but suffered yet another setback last week, when it emerged that he now requires a protective boot or plaster to avoid any further damage.

Bayern parted company with Muller-Wohlfahrt in April but Ribery has continued to see the specialist - despite the Bavarians having previously sent the 32-year-old to professor Markus Walther.

Muller-Wohlfahrt has denied that he has mishandled Ribery in any way - a claim supported by the player himself."I have full confidence in Muller-Wohlfahrt," the attacker told SportBild. "I have never experienced a better doctor in my career.

"He is really trying everything to get me back on the pitch but sometimes there are stages like this in which all medical efforts does not help."So, I'm not making accusations against anyone."

Muller-Wohlfart left in acrimonious circumstances following Bayern's Champions League defeat to Porto, a game which a number of first-team stars missed due to injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal arrives at courtroom ahead of drink-driving case

Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal arrived at the Court of San Bernardo on Wednesday to be formally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Juventus star was detained on Tuesday after crashing his red Ferrari, with Police Coronel Gonzalez confirming the 28-year-old had alcohol in his system.
"The driver of the red car was under the influence of alcohol. He is being detained and will be moved on Wednesday to the courtroom," Gonzalez stated.

The accident took place on the Route 5 South around 23:00 local time on Tuesday. Vidal was driving his red Ferrari 458 Italia.Chile has strict drink-driving laws and Vidal could face severe punishment following Tuesday's incident.

A driver is considered to be drunk in Chile when blood alcohol concentration is higher than 0.08 per cent and carries a prison term of 61 to 301 days, a fine of US$164-US$820 and a two-year suspension for the first offence, a five-year suspension for a second offence, and a life suspension for a third offence.

Vidal, who faces the charges for the first time, will go in front of the judge at 11:00 local time after arriving at court earlier, as seen below.

Meanwhile, Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli met with the president of the Chilean football federation (ANFP) earlier on Wednesday to discuss Vidal's place in the squad for the remainder of the tournament.

Vidal has been a key figure for Chile at the Copa America so far, scoring three times in two games to help them to four points after two matches.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez tells Juventus he wants Boca return

Carlos Tevez has told Juventus that he wants to leave the club and return to Boca Juniors this summer.The Argentina striker has long made it clear he wants to finish his career in his homeland with the club for whom he made his debut in October 2001.

Despite having a year to run on his current contract in Turin, Goal understands that Tevez has told the Juve hierarchy that he is keen to seal a transfer this summer.

Speaking to TyCSports earlier on Wednesday, Boca president Daniel Angelici admitted he had spoken to the former Manchester United man about a return but was keen to allow him to compete in the Copa America without distraction.

"I want to be cautious with the arrival of Carlitos at Boca," he said. "You have to respect Juventus, the club where he still has a contract, but I'm sure Tevez will stay at Juve or return to Boca.

"We spoke to Carlitos about his future, but at the moment we're leaving him in piece to concentrate on the Copa America. Afterwards, he'll decide with his club where his future lies, but I'm sure, if not now, it'll be next year [that he returns]."

Tevez scored 29 goals for Juventus last season as they won Serie A and the Coppa Italia before losing the Champions League final to Barcelona.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have already secured the signing of rising Argentine star Paulo Dybala from Palermo and are believed to be preparing a deal for Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic should Tevez depart.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tardelli and Firmino continue war to lead Brazil's line

Brazil coach Dunga has repeatedly stressed the importance of a squad in which the players are all competing against one another for places. Nobody is guaranteed a role in his team, he says.

It's a sentiment evidenced by the omission of Thiago Silva, unable to get back into the side after injury problems kept him out of Brazil's first set of post-World Cup matches, and also by last week's introduction of Fred to the starting line-up - the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder was not even in the squad for Copa America before an injury to Luiz Gustavo, but he has now started Brazil's last three games.

The biggest battle within the squad, however, has come up front as Diego Tardelli and Roberto Firmino fight it out for the role of Dunga's false No.9.

"It's good to have a shadow," Tardelli told Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour after victory over Honduras in which Firmino struck the only goal. Three days previously, it was Tardelli's strike that secured a 2-0 win over Mexico in Sao Paulo.

"It's a great contest which will give Dunga a few headaches. It is how things work here: there is not room to accommodate everyone because everyone wants to stay in the team," added Tardelli.

Tardelli had waited a long time for his chance. Having made three international appearances under Dunga in qualification for World Cup 2010, he faced a four-year wait for his next opportunity with the Selecao.

He proved an instant fit, his endless running the perfect addition to Dunga's new-look fluid frontline. He appeared to have cemented his role in the first team after hitting both goals in the Superclasico de las Americas victory over Argentina in October.

But Tardelli arrived at this month's Copa America with real concerns he would spend a considerable portion of his time on the bench after missing the four friendlies in the run-up to Dunga announcing his Copa America squad – first through ineligibility and then through injury – in which time Firmino emerged, rescuing victories over Austria and Chile.

The 23-year-old is one of the world game's rising stars, reportedly set for a mega-money move from German club Hoffenheim to England's Premier League.

Tardelli - named after the great Italian midfielder Marco - meanwhile, now 30, recently moved to China, his switch from Atletico-MG to Shandong Luneng sparking suggestions that the lack of visibility of Chinese football would cost him his international career.

Set to play a major role in next year's Rio Olympics, Firmino is said to be the future, ready to lead the new generation into Russia 2018.

But it was Tardelli who got the nod for Brazil's opener with Peru on Sunday, his smart run off the ball creating the space for Neymar to head an early equaliser before Douglas Costa secured a 2-1 victory late on, though he was later withdrawn prior to Firmino's arrival.

Captain Neymar is seen as vital to Brazil's hopes in Chile and he has played his best football working off Tardelli rather than Firmino. The feeling is that Tardelli offers more, and perhaps better, movement than Firmino, with the latter providing a greater goal threat with his long-range shooting ability.

And Tardelli remains under no illusions that his place is secure, but welcomes the healthy competition in a squad he says is as harmonious as ever.

"We have a lively group, who are always playing and joking around. But when things get serious, we work seriously. We have several new players who are eager to win."So that's our group. I see a more relaxed Brazil, but one with a huge responsibility at the same time. On the pitch we are doing our part. We are not winning with a huge scores, but we winning and that is most important."

A nervous wait for two players at opposite ends of their careers, being played out in opposite sides of the globe, will come to an end on Wednesday when Dunga informs them which one will start against Colombia in Santiago.But regardless of who wins that battle, the war for Brazil's false No.9 position is set to rage on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Depay needs to adjust quickly to be a Manchester United success - Van Bommel

Former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel believes Memphis Depay can be a success at Manchester United, though he will have to adjust quickly to life in England.

The winger completed his move from PSV to Old Trafford on Friday for a fee of around €30 million as Louis van Gaal begins putting together a side to improve on their fourth-placed showing last season.

And Van Bommel, who played with Depay at PSV before retiring in 2013, feels the winger will have to lift his performance level and listen to experienced players around him after reports of off-field issues.

"Memphis Depay can do well because he [Van Gaal] worked with him at the World Cup," he told Goal. "It is easier for him to come into this club. If you don’t' know the coach and you come from abroad it is not so easy.

"It is difficult to predict but he has qualities. You need wingers like Cristiano Ronaldo, [Arjen] Robben, [Franck] Ribery, [Lionel] Messi, Neymar.

"In Holland it was easy for him, and now he has to make the next step. He has come to a fantastic club and now it is time to adjust to that level. He has to adjust really quickly.

"He has the technical skills. He has to be focused. But if he goes into the locker room and does stupid things there are players who will say 'Hey, Memphis, easy. Settle down and play,'.

"He has the potential but I am not saying he is the new Messi because I can see the headlines!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal formally charged with drink-driving

Juventus and Chile star Arturo Vidal has been formally charged with drink-driving at a hearing at the court of San Bernardo on Wednesday and will find out his fate in four months' time.

The 28-year-old crashed his Ferrari on Tuesday when he was on his way back to the Chile camp after visiting a casino with his wife on the team's day off.

Vidal was detained by police following the accident, with Police Coronel Gonzalez confirming the 28-year-old had alcohol in his system, and he consequently appeared in court in Wednesday.

"The driver of the red car was under the influence of alcohol. He is being detained and will be moved on Wednesday to the courtroom," Gonzalez stated.

The public prosecutor asked for Vidal's driving license to be withheld and for the player to sign monthly at the Chile consulate in Milan when he returns to Juventus, with the court accepting the prosecutor's recommendation and setting a fixed-term research period of 120 days.

Vidal has, however, avoided any further sanction by the national team and will keep his place in the squad for the remainder of the Copa America.

Chile has strict drink-driving laws. A driver is considered to be drunk in Chile when blood alcohol concentration is higher than 0.08 per cent and could carry a prison term of 61 to 301 days, a fine of US$164-US$820 and a two-year suspension for the first offence.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal to stay in Chile squad despite drink-driving charge

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has opted against expelling Arturo Vidal from his Copa America squad following the midfielder's car accident on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old crashed his Ferrari while driving under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday as he returned to the Chile camp after visiting a local casino on the team's day off.

Vidal escaped from the crash unscathed but was charged with drink-driving and had his licence revoked at a court hearing on Wednesday.

Sampaoli met with Chilean football federation (ANFP) president Sergio Jadue Jadue on Wednesday to discuss Vidal's fate and initial reports claimed the Juventus man would play no further part in the tournament.

However, the Chile coach has now made it clear that Vidal will continue to be part of La Roja as they are gunning for their first-ever Copa America title.

"The measure is to try to see how he is and to try to know that, for us, he is a very valuable player," Sampaoli said at a press conference.

"He made a mistake that is not determinant enough for us to exclude him and we will convince him with regard to the needs of the national team.

"The accident Arturo had worried all of us. We're worried about Arturo and his family. All the coaches, we saw how he was. He's a very valuable player and we know he made a mistake.

"We gave the team a free day, as planned, and I don't think it has the magnitude that was expressed in the media.

"He has always had very good behaviour, pledging his future to Chile. He made a mistake. There are a load of things to weigh up. He is a player who has given us so much. What we need right now is to include him.

"It's easier to exclude him than to include him. We know what he can bring. He didn't know how to control his time off. That is something that will be corrected internally.

"I don't think we should exclude someone for making a mistake. It is at times like these that I will always value how he risked his future for the national team [by playing with a knee problem at the World Cup].

"We don't ask the players for their opinion on decisions and they haven't said anything. But we will explain our decision to them.

"That it is Arturo has nothing to do with it. It is just my way of looking at things.

"There will be a lot of conjecture both now and in the future. If Chile don't win, it will be because of the functioning of the team. None of this will affect what Chile are doing on the pitch.

"We can’t have the players locked in all the time at Juan Pinto Duran. We don’t give advice to the players in the most important instants. We consult with them. When the players arrive, it is not me who receives them. There is no breathalyzer. I don’t control that. I trust my group."

The versatile midfielder had been a key figure for the Chileans so far at the 2015 Copa America and currently leads the tournament's top goalscoring charts with three goals from two encounters.

He netted once in Chile's 2-0 win over Ecuador on matchday one, before adding two more in the 3-3 draw with Mexico on Monday.

Chile currently sit atop of Group A with four points from two games. They meet Bolivia in their final group game on Friday.

Vidal had been formally charged with drink-driving at a hearing at the court of San Bernardo on Wednesday morning and will find out his fate in four months' time.

The public prosecutor asked for the midfielder's driving license to be withheld and for the player to sign monthly at the Chile consulate in Milan when he returns to Juventus, with the court accepting the prosecutor's recommendation and setting a fixed-term research period of 120 days.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mandzukic is the man to replace Tevez - Marotta

Atletico Madrid's Mario Mandzukic has been identified by Juventus as a potential replacement for striker Carlos Tevez by the Italian club's general manager Giuseppe Marotta.

Tevez has made it clear to the Serie A champions that he wants to leave this summer in order to return to boyhood club Boca Juniors.

Faced with the prospect of replacing last season's top scorer, Marotta revealed earlier that Croatia international Mandzukic is on their radar as they consider replacements."If Tevez were to leave, we have identified the player to replace him as Mandzukic," the general manager is quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"We all agree on his positive impact. Carlos has this desire to return to South America, to his home in Argentina to end a glorious career."We are waiting for an answer and we hope to see within two to three days what he will do.

"If he has the desire and motivation to move forward, we will be happy to continue, otherwise we will satisfy his desire to return to Argentina, it would be counter-productive to behave differently.

"I'm sure if Tevez leaves, it will be for Boca."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tearful Vidal apologises for drink-driving

Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has issued a tearful apology after being charged for drink-driving.

The Juventus man crashed his Ferrari while driving under the influence of alcohol when he was on his way back to the Chile camp after a visit to the casino on Tuesday and was consequently detained by local police.Vidal had his licence revoked following a court hearing on Wednesday but Chile opted against expelling him from their Copa America squad.

"I went to the casino, drank two drinks - like, two glasses - and had an accident that put at risk my wife's life and that of a lot of people," a tearful Vidal said at a press conference.

"I regret what happened. I want to thank all the people that supported me when I was with the police. I want to apologise to all my team-mates, to the people and to the entire country."It is hard to speak about this. I am really ashamed of what happened. I can only apologise.

"I feel the support of the people and want to show on the pitch that this second I'm given is for something.

"I failed everybody, but I will do my best to be a champion."Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli stated earlier on Wednesday that he will not expel Vidal from his squad following a meeting with the national football association.

However, the public prosecutor asked for Vidal's driving license to be withheld and for the player to sign monthly at the Chile consulate in Milan when he returns to Juventus, with the court accepting the prosecutor's recommendation and setting a fixed-term research period of 120 days.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney & Welbeck celebrate Cleverley's big day

They may no longer be a strike partnership at Manchester United, but Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck were together again as they joined in the celebrations as Tom Cleverley tied the knot with Georgina Dorsett.

Rooney was all smiles once again, just days after hitting England's winner against Slovenia to secure a 3-2 win, move level with Gary Lineker and to within one goal of record goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton.

Welbeck, who missed the clash in Ljubljana, also joined in the fun as did former Manchester United stars Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley in a lavish ceremony in London.