Inter midfielder Arturo Vidal is causing controversy in Chile after he tested positive for COVID-19 and failed to follow quarantine protocols.
Vidal was hospitalised with severe tonsillitis on Monday and hours later Chile announced one of their players had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to newspaper Clarin, Vidal had been given the sporting exemption from a 10-day quarantine when flying into the country.
However, this was with the understanding he should stick to seeing only close family.
Instead, the Inter star went for dinner with friends, visited a racetrack, recorded an advertisement, went to lunch and then paid a visit to the second division club that he part-owns.
The same newspaper also maintains that Vidal took over four hours before he finally alerted the Chilean Federation that he had tested positive.
Undersecretary for health Paula Daza warned Vidal is the subject of an investigation for ‘violating the health bubble.’
He risks a fine of up to $80,000.
There is even more potential trouble for Vidal, because Clarin claims during his time before meeting up with the Chile squad, he also spent time with a model in a hotel room.
It’s reported she shared a photograph in a private WhatsApp group of Vidal in a room full of suitcases, after which she tested positive for COVID.