Enner Valencia chased off pitch by police wanting to question Everton striker over alleged unpaid alimony

The on-loan Everton striker complained of sickness before being carted off the field during Ecuador's 3-0 win over Chile

Jack de Menezes
Friday 07 October 2016 05:51 EDT
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Enner Valencia chased out of a stadium by police because he owes his ex-wife $17,000

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Everton striker Enner Valencia was chased out of a stadium by police following a World Cup qualifier for Ecuador after he was wanted for questioning over alleged unpaid alimony to his ex-wife.

Video footage captured the moment that Valencia was carted away from the field after complaining from altitude sickness, with a number of police officers in pursuit. Earlier upon the Ecuador team’s arrival for the match against Chile, Valencia’s teammates had helped smuggle him off the team bus in order to evade officers looking to speak to him, according to reports in South America.

26-year-old Valencia, who joined Everton from West Ham on a season-long loan during the summer, is alleged to owe his former wife $17,000 in alimony, according to the El Universo newspaper.

After his Ecuadorian teammates intervened to help get him into the Estadio Olimpico, Valencia played in the 3-0 victory and managed to set-up the first goal for Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia.

Enner Valencia receives oxygen as he's taken off the field on a cart with police officers in hot pursuit
Enner Valencia receives oxygen as he's taken off the field on a cart with police officers in hot pursuit (Reuters)

However, with 10 minutes remaining, Valencia needed to be substituted after complaining of sickness, and he was taken off the field by cart under the watchful eye of pitch-side authorities. Keen to speak to the striker, the policemen waited for Valencia to come off, only for him to continue in the cart and away from the officers. Valencia was given an oxygen mask as he left the field.

Valencia’s whereabouts are now unknown, and it is not known if Valencia was deliberately attempting to evade police.

The Independent has attempted to contact Everton for comment.

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