Bayern Munich's Vidal to sue German newspaper over alcohol-related 'false report'

Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal vehemently denied a report from a German newspaper suggesting he was removed from the team's training facility because he smelled like alcohol.

The Chilean added in an Instagram post that his lawyers are in the process of taking legal action against Sport Bild because details in the report are "absolutely false."

The report, published Tuesday, indicated that Vidal left the team's training facility on several occasions during Bayern's trip to Qatar and smelled of alcohol upon his return.

Vidal denied the report and announced he'd take legal action against the outlet:

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also released a brief statement: "Both allegations are as malicious as they are false."

Bayern sporting executive Matthias Sammer also addressed the article during his meeting with reporters Wednesday, saying Vidal has the support of the club and describing the newspaper's account as "untrue."

"I was very surprised about what I read there," Sammer said.

He added, "We've talked to the player, we've talked to his agent. We trust them. The player has confirmed that it is not true. We believe the player. The report is untrue. We will take legal action against it."

The Sport Bild report follows a summer of turmoil for the 28-year-old in which he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol in June during the Copa America in Chile.