When Chile released its 55-player preliminary roster for the Copa América this week, there was one name that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Luciano Cabral, an uncapped attacking midfielder who plays for Coquimbo Unido in the Chilean Primera División, was among the names on coach Ricardo Gareca’s list.
Even if Cabral is selected for Chile’s final roster, he may have a bit of an issue getting into the United States for the tournament.
Cabral, you see, is a convicted murderer.
In 2018, Cabral was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for the 2017 murder of a 27-year-old man who was beaten to death with stones. Cabral’s father and cousin were also sent to prison for the homicide in Mendoza, Argentina.
Cabral was released on parole in October 2022, and signed with Coquimbo Unido the following year. After some quality displays in Chile’s domestic league, the Argentina-born midfielder appears to have a shot to make his debut for La Roja in the Copa América.
But that could prove difficult. In general, the U.S. typically doesn’t allow foreigners with a criminal record to enter the country.
In an interview with El Mercurio, Álvaro Bellolio, the former director of Chile’s migration service and a current advisor to the Primera División, said that Cabral could be facing an uphill battle if he’s selected for the final roster.
“His conviction for homicide for almost 10 years and almost six years in prison make it difficult to obtain a permit to enter the United States,” Bellolio said. “The possibility of obtaining a ‘special permit’ exists, but it is a complicated process that would require involving high-level authorities and making arrangements with both the United States Embassy and the State Department.
“This could allow him to participate in the 2026 World Cup, but for the 2024 Copa América it is a much more complicated challenge.”
🚨➡️ Estos son los 5️⃣5️⃣ jugadores que conforman la lista provisional de La Roja🇨🇱 informada a @CONMEBOL por el Cuerpo Técnico de su entrenador Ricardo Gareca para la Conmebol @CopaAmerica USA 2024. pic.twitter.com/UNZymAM3B0
— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja) May 6, 2024
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