A FOOTBALLER in Chile has caused outrage by calling his opponent a "murderer" following a tragic accident that happened seven years ago.

During a fierce derby clash, Colo Colo's Esteban Pavez angered even his own team-mates after a comment directed towards Univerisidad Catolica's Diego Buonanotte.

2 Diego Buonanotte was upset by Esteban Pavez's comments Credit: Marca TV

2 Even Parez's team-mates apologised after the game Credit: Marca TV

As a youngster Buonanotte was tipped for big things coming through the academy at River Plate.

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But in December 2009, the now 28-year-old's world changed for the worse.

The Argentinean was driving back from a bar in the early hours with three schoolboy friends in a small Peugeot.

With the rain lashing down, Buonanotte lost control of the car and smashed into a tree just off the highway - he was left with serious injuries but his three friends weren't so lucky.

They all tragically died and after months of trying to recover both physically and mentally, Buonanotte returned to action in April the following year but some say he has never been the same player.

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However Pavez couldn't help but let derby emotions get the better of him when he said: "Oi murderer, you killed your three friends."

Buonanotte managed to keep his cool and spoke to the referee before revealing exactly what happened.

He said: "Yes, he said it. And several times.. But I don't want to make a big deal out of it. It happened."

Pavez's own team-mates has lambasted his behaviour with Colo Colo's Gonzalo Fierro ringing up Univerisidad Catolica's captain to apologies.

He said: "I want to apologise in the name of the club for what Pavez saind to Buonanotte... it was wrong and he's very sorry."