Football
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Real Sociedad include Carlos Vela on squad vs. Celta Vigo

Real Sociedad coach Eusebio said he opted to include Carlos Vela in the squad for Saturday's match against Celta Vigo for the good of the team.

Spanish media reports said the Mexico international skipped training to attend a Chris Brown concert in Madrid over the weekend after photos of the striker appeared on social media. Vela reportedly told the club he had a bout of gastroenteritis.

The 27-year-old faced a potential punishment and fine, but in the end, the club only sat the former Arsenal player for Wednesday's training. Eusebio said he consulted with the squad.

"I had a week's punishment in mind, but I changed my mind after speaking to the group and this was the best for the team," the 51-year-old former midfielder said. 

Teammate Xabi Prieto spoke on behalf of the club and Vela on Wednesday ahead of their match against Celta Vigo this weekend, saying that Vela had been "repentant."

Vela has struggled thus far with his worst season since going on loan to the Spanish club in 2012 after seven years with Arsenal and has scored just four goals in 27 games.

"With Carlos Vela I decided that there had to be a punishment," Eusebio said. "He showed that he was sorry and his teammates requested that he be included."

Real Sociedad are ninth in the league standings, seven points behind Celta Vigo heading into Saturday's match at Balaidos.

"I decided to include Carlos in the squad and now we will have to see who is in the best conditions to play," Eusebio said.

At 27, Vela is more than 10 years removed from the golden boy who led Mexico to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2005. Unlike players whose international careers are challenged by injuries, Vela's has been marked by disciplinary action.

His intemperate quarrel with the Mexican federation was based partly on a reaction to punishment meted out after he was judged to have been partying following a friendly in 2010. The saga cost Vela a spot on the 2014 World Cup squad.

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