SANTIAGO, Chile — Jorge Valdivia, a former international soccer player from Chile, was taken into custody on Tuesday following an allegation of sexual assault.
According to local authorities, a woman reported the incident to the Chilean legal medical service on Monday morning after they had spent time together at a restaurant in the capital city the previous night.
Valdivia, who is 41 years old, has stated that the interaction was consensual.
“I do not understand the motives behind this action, but I firmly deny any allegations of sexual assault against me,” he commented to the media.
The prosecutors’ office in Chile has confirmed to reporters that the former player for Colo Colo, as well as other international clubs, was indeed detained.
Valdivia’s career includes stints at prominent clubs such as Palmeiras in Brazil and Al Ain in the UAE before he returned to play in Chile.
He was a key member of the Chilean national team from 2004 to 2007, notably participating in the successful campaign for the 2015 Copa America title.