Chile stars regret baptism affair

Chile coach Claudio Borghi has revealed that Arturo Vidal and Gonzalo Jara are repentant for their role in the ‘Baptism Five’ affair.

The two stars, along with Jean Beausejour, Carlos Carmona and Jorge Valdivia, were hit with 10-match suspensions after returning late and in an ‘inadequate state’ to Chile’s training base before their World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay in November.

Without the five, who had attended the baptism of Valdivia’s daughter, the nation fell to a 4-0 defeat against the Celeste before bouncing back with victory over Paraguay.

Speaking on Friday, Borghi explained that West Brom’s Jara and Juventus’ Vidal had made their peace with the decision and regretted their involvement, and that he accepted their apologies.

“I have spoken directly with Vidal and Jara … I get the feeling that they are very sorry for all that has happened, from their misbehaviour up to the advice they received after the press conference,” the coach told Radio ADN.

“After hearing everything they said, they realised that they messed up badly and not just with me, but also with the whole nation.”

The coach is yet to speak to Carmona, Beausejour and Valdivia, the latter of the group having launched a formal complaint to the ANFP over the severity of his punishment.