Inter midfielder Arturo Vidal has apologized to fans, his teammates, and the opposition, after a bad tackle which saw him handed a straight red card in the Roja’s World Cup qualifying loss to Ecuador last night.
Speaking to Chilean broadcaster TNT Sport Chile, the 34-year-old stated that he had no intention of causing harm with the reckless challenge for which he was sent off in the clash, and that he regrets the effects of his actions.
Vidal was challenging for a ball high in the air in the fourteenth minute of play when his studs made contact with the upper body of Ecuador defender Felix Torres Caicedo.
There was absolutely no question about what the decision was going to be, and the 34-year-old Nerazzurri man can have no complaints for having been sent off for the tackle.
He does, however, feel very regretful that the lapse in judgment put a damper on the game, which the Chilean team lost 2-0 in a blow to their Qatar 2022 qualification.
“I feel very sad,” he stated, “what happened today was ridiculous. I did not see the opponent, I absolutely did not intend to hurt him.”
He continued, “I apologize to the coaching staff, my teammates, and the fans. For us it was a black day, I thank the team for giving everything on the pitch even in spite of the circumstances. We will continue to fight towards our goal.”
