26 March 2024 , 10:08
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The Ecuadorian Football Federation are investigating video footage which appears to show Chelsea's 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez partying with two team-mates in a New York strip club while away on international duty.
The incident has come to light in the aftermath of Ecuador's 2-0 defeat to Italy in New Jersey on Sunday in which Paez was a second-half substitute. It remains unclear when the incident occurred. In the 35-second video clip that was leaked on social media, it appears that 32-year-old defender Robert Arboleda can be heard shouting as a provocative dancer performs in front of Paez and Al Sadd winger Gonzalo Plata.
Paez, who will officially join up with compatriot Moises Caicedo at Chelsea in the summer of 2025 once he has turned 18, is still only 16 years of age. Last year, he became the youngest player to ever represent Ecuador and the youngest South American player to score in a World Cup qualifier.
The minimum legal drinking age is 21 in the United States while minors under the age of 21 are also prohibited from entering nightclubs, where there are strict controls, regardless of the time of day.
The FEF said in a statement: “Given the facts of public knowledge, the FEF expresses the following: The official delegation had free time on Friday, March 22, from 2:00pm to 8:30pm, a schedule that was fully complied with. Images of events contrary to the values and principles that we defend and promote as an institution have been disseminated, which will be reasons for analysis for future calls.”
Chelsea and Paez's agent Manuel Sierra have been approached for comment by Mirror Football, however, it's understood the Blues are aware of the incident and will leave the matter in the hands of the FEF.
As per Article 16 of the FEF's Code of Ethics (published March 2024) any offences that are committed while representing the Ecuador national team will be punished with a minimum fine of $1000 (£790), while those responsible could also be prohibited from carrying out activities related to football for a maximum period of two years.
The Code is applicable to officials, players, civil servants and technical staff who "must take into account the effect that their conduct may have on the reputation of the FEF."
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Kendry Paez has already trained with his new Chelsea team-mates (Getty Images)Arboleda has since posted the following message on his Instagram story following the video leak: "From now on on my days off I will just start reading the Bible."
Separate video footage shared online also shows a cohort of Ecuador players, including Chelsea midfielder Caicedo and Brighton's Ipswich Town loanee Jeremy Sarmiento, in trendy restaurant and night-spot TAO Downtown Nightclub - though there is no alcohol present in the footage.
Following his dream Premier League transfer from Independiente del Valle, Paez has made several visits to Chelsea where he has even trained alongside his new team-mates at Cobham as part of his development programme.
Mauricio Pochettino said of the young talent back in December: “Of course, I know him. He is playing in the Ecuador national team. He was the youngest to make his debut. I follow the national teams, I follow them in South America, he is our player and I know him very well. He is a great talent.”