Chelsea youngster Kendry Páez somehow found himself caught up in River Plate’s chaotic week, despite not even being part of the first-team squad.

River crashed out of the Copa Sudamericana against Independiente Santa Fe on Wednesday in fairly extraordinary fashion. They drew 1-1, despite having 31 shots, and then lost an 8-7 penalty shootout.

Their goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán – who was already linked with Chelsea – saved three penalties, only to send his own effort ridiculously over the bar. Santa Fe goalkeeper Juan Espitia then scored the winner.

That result piled even more pressure on River and ultimately cost manager Eduardo Coudet his job. And somewhere in the middle of all that, Páez ended up getting abuse as well.

Páez accused of mocking River

The Chelsea youngster wasn’t involved against Santa Fe. He had already been removed from Coudet’s plans and has spent recent weeks training separately at Cantilo. Chelsea are trying to find another club for him.

Yet TyC Sports explain Páez became one of the players targeted by supporters after River’s elimination.

A supposed Instagram story from his account started circulating shortly after the match. It was interpreted as Páez mocking River’s defeat and quickly brought a wave of criticism and insults.

There was just one issue: Páez says it wasn’t his. The 19-year-old has now publicly denied making the post.

“I’ve seen that a story which I supposedly posted after the match has been circulating on social media, and I want to make it clear that this post never came from my account.

“I don’t usually come out to clarify these kinds of things, but in this case I felt it was important to do so out of respect for River, my teammates and everyone who supported me during this time.

“I would never post something to mock a result or a difficult moment for the team.”

River Plate fans obviously haven’t take it well.

Chelsea still need to get him out

River Plate

It’s another strange episode in what has become a pretty miserable spell in Argentina for the Chelsea player.

Páez’s River adventure was effectively over before this week’s chaos. He had been pushed out of the squad and Chelsea were already working on another loan.

River themselves have much bigger problems now. They’ve won just once in nine games since the World Cup break and sit 14th in their league group. It’s quite a pickle given they’ve spent €68.5m (£59.4m) on players this year.

Páez therefore found himself blamed during a crisis he had very little to do with. His own situation still needs sorting out, though. Chelsea haven’t yet secured his next club, leaving him stuck at River and training away from the first team.

At least on this occasion, Páez has been very clear about where he stands. Whatever happened on social media after that bizarre elimination, he says it didn’t come from him.

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