FORMER Chilean international Jorge Valdivia has been arrested on suspicion of rape.
Prosecutors confirmed the former attacking midfielder, considered one of the greatest playmakers in his country’s football history, had been held earlier today.
His female accuser claims she woke up in his apartment yesterday morning after a memory blackout following two cocktails at an agreed meeting on Sunday night in a Peruvian restaurant in Chile’s capital city Santiago to discuss the design of a tattoo.
The woman who made the allegations, said to work as a tattoo artist, is understood to have made a formal complaint after the ex-footballer confirmed they had had sex.
The restaurant has been named locally as ‘Chicha en Aji’ in the Santiago district of Providencia.
Valdivia, a product of Colo-Colo’s youth ranks who was an integral part of the 2015 Copa America winning Chile squad and featured in two World Cups for his country, denies the rape allegations.
He said in a statement sent to Chilean press: “I had a consensual relationship with an adult woman.”
He added: “I will co-operate fully to ensure this matter this can be resolved as quickly as possible” before urging the media to show “caution and protect my right to innocence.”
Prisa Media, which owns Chilean radio station Radio ADN where Valdivia works as a commentator, reacted by announcing they had suspended him.
It said in a statement: “The management of Prisa Media has taken the decision to suspend Jorge Valdivia's participation indefinitely until his legal situation is resolved by the courts.”
Valdivia, 40, was nicknamed El Mago, English for ‘The Wizard’, during his career. He was a classic number 10 best-known for his passing ability and skills.
He has been praised by the likes of Pele and Carlos Valderrama.
Valdivia played in Chile as well as Brazil and Mexico, scoring seven goals in his 78 appearances for the senior Chilean national team.
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