Ministra Vallejo y permanencia de Araos: está aquí por la confianza del Presidente

As the controversy surrounding Gabriel Arias’ alleged assault case unfolded, fans of the Chilean national soccer team wondered why one of their star players, Ben Brereton, had been left out of the squad. Rumors suggested that a disagreement between Brereton and national team coach, Martin Lasarte, was the cause. However, in an interview with Chilean news outlet Mega, the Minister of Sports, Cecilia Pérez, indicated that the decision to omit Brereton was due to his lack of experience playing in the Chilean soccer league.

While this news may be disappointing for Brereton fans, it is not uncommon for coaches to prioritize domestic players over foreign-based ones for international competitions. In fact, many national teams have quotas for domestic players to ensure the development of local talent. What is more concerning, however, is the potential influence of political figures on team selection.

Minister Pérez also addressed criticism of the national team’s inclusion of midfielder Pablo Aránguiz and the prolonged presence of striker Nicolás Castillo despite his lack of recent playing time. She stated that Aránguiz was a talented player who deserved a chance to prove himself, and that Castillo, while perhaps out of shape, was being given an opportunity to regain his form. She emphasized that the ultimate decision rested with Lasarte and that politics had nothing to do with player selection.

Nevertheless, Minister Pérez’s comments raise questions about the role of political figures in shaping national teams. If coaches are bowing to pressure from political figures, it may undermine the integrity of sporting competitions and lead to less deserving players being selected. As fans, we must continue to scrutinize player selection and demand transparency from our sports leaders.