Kenedy removed from Chelsea tour following insulting China comments

Chelsea have removed Brazilian winger Kenedy from their pre-season tour of Asia following his insulting comments about China on social media.

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The 21-year-old returned to the UK on Tuesday after being sent home by the reigning Premier League champions.

That decision was taken in the wake of inappropriate posts which appeared on Kenedy’s Instagram account during the Blues’ time in Beijing.

A statement from Inter Sports on their Weibo page read: “Chelsea FC can confirm that Kenedy has returned to the UK and will play no further part in the Club’s pre-season tour of Asia.”

weibo

Kenedy was jeered by Chinese supporters on Saturday while figuring in a 3-0 victory over Arsenal, which had been sponsored by Inter Sports.

He has since apologised for his actions, while Chelsea have confirmed that the youngster will be disciplined.

A statement from the Blues read: "Kenedy's actions were a mistake that he will learn greatly from.

"His behaviour does not represent the entire team and does not align with the club's high expectations and strict requirements of its young players. He has been strongly reprimanded and disciplined.

"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club has the utmost respect and admiration for China and loves our Chinese fans.

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"It is because of this that the negative impact we have seen over the last two days has left us shocked and saddened.

"Once again, we sincerely apologise for the hurt caused to our Chinese fans as well as to the Chinese people."

Kenedy said: "I would like to apologise to the people of China for the offence I have caused. It was never my intention to insult or offend anyone at all and I now realise that my comments were totally inappropriate."

Kenedy made two appearances for Chelsea last season, having seen a season-long loan at Premier League rivals Watford cut short.