The National Team faced a series of embarrassing incidents between October 2017 and March 22, 2024, which tarnished the image of national football on a global scale. Two of the incidents occurred during international tournaments organized by FIFA and Conmebol, while the third took place in New York on the eve of a friendly match against a top-ranked team.
Robert Arboleda and Gonzalo Plata, known for their previous misbehavior, were involved in the latest incident when they were spotted at a strip club in New York with a minor, Kendry Páez, who was only 16 years old and below the legal age to enter such establishments. The incident came to light when a video surfaced on social media showing Arboleda flaunting cash while a voice can be heard instructing a dancer to perform for Páez, who was seated with Plata.
The Ecuadorian Football Federation issued a statement denouncing the behavior of the players, but failed to specify any concrete actions that would be taken against them. Reports from London suggested that Arboleda and Plata would be permanently dismissed from the National Team, while Páez would receive a lighter punishment due to his age.
This was not the first time the National Team had to deal with issues of indiscipline among its players. Previous incidents in 2017 and 2019 saw players engaging in misconduct, but the federation’s response was criticized for being lenient. Despite promises of strict sanctions and a new code of conduct, players involved in past incidents were eventually reinstated to the team.
The repeated acts of misconduct have raised questions about the culture within the National Team and the effectiveness of disciplinary measures taken by the federation. As Ecuador looks ahead to future matches and tournaments, fans and critics alike are hoping for a change in the attitude and behavior of the players representing the country on the international stage.