Faustino Asprilla is always happy to share his opinion and the former Newcastle United player has a reputation for being outspoken. There are other descriptions possible, but Sport Witness is a family website so we’ll leave those to the voices in your head.
The Colombian blasted then Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal in 2015, calling the Dutchman Mr Evil and suggesting racism stopped him picking Radamel Falcao, whilst also tweeting an image in which the manager resembled Adolf Hitler.
Now, for reasons we can’t fathom, he’s been speaking to Chilean newspaper La Cuarta and had his say on a supposed war between Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal.
The two Chilean stars are at opposite ends of the spectrum with their off pitch behaviour and with Sanchez’s dedication and obsessive will to win, it would be no surprise if the Manchester United player has been irritated on occasion with Vidal.
During the 2015 Copa America, Vidal went for a big night out at a casino, crashed his Ferrari whilst drunk, was arrested and ended up in court with a raging hangover as the tournament went on. Who hasn’t done similar?
These things are easier to let slide when everything is going well but tensions in the Chile camp now have a stronger focus after the country’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Asprilla told La Cuarta: “The Chilean players believed that with little effort it would be enough to qualify. In some way it was an excess of confidence, they said ‘we are fourth and they five qualify’. Then, they saw each other with the rope around their necks.
“But, honestly, I don’t know how the dressing room of Chile will be. From outside it is said that there are two sides, Alexis’ friends against Vidal’s friends, and those differences take their toll.”
Manchester United players will have to be aware, don’t go out getting drunk, crashing Ferraris and generally not having enough commitment… or else Alexis Sanchez may fall out with you.
