Santiago de Chile (AFP)
Several international Chilean players have asked leaders in their country to "listen to the people" and to find solutions to the worst social conflict in decades, which has killed seven people in three days.
"I pray that my beloved Chile will be better," Chilean star Arturo Vidal, FC Barcelona midfielder, wrote on Sunday night.
"Politics please, listen to the people for once !!! We want solutions NOW !!! I embrace all the Chileans, we are together and we are moving forward as always", a- he added.
"Now is the time for answers, solutions," said Sunday Claudio Bravo, captain of the Chilean selection and substitute goalkeeper Manchester City.
At a distance, both players saw the demonstrations turn into a social explosion. The demonstrations began Friday to protest against a rise in the price of metro tickets in the capital Santiago. Right-wing President Sebastian Pinera has since suspended the increase. But protests and violence continued, fueled by anger at conditions and socio-economic inequalities.
The state of emergency in several areas and a curfew in Santiago between 19:00 and 06:00 local have since been decreed, while riots and looting continued on Sunday. Football matches were suspended during the weekend.
"Listen to the people and stop playing with them," also asked social media authorities Gary Medel, another figure of the Chilean "golden generation", who won the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
The player from Bologna, Italy, known for his stubbornness, has attached to his message a photo of a list of demands of protesters, for an improvement of the health system, education, retirement, among other reforms.
© 2019 AFP