Chelsea have ordered disgraced winger Kenedy home from their pre-season tour of Asia after his inappropriate posts on social media, with the Football Association also launching an investigation into the furore.

Kenedy is facing an uncertain future after he was sent back to the UK from Singapore on Tuesday, following talks with Chelsea management, in a controversy which has damaged the reputation of the Premier League champions in China.

Chelsea were forced to issue an public apology after the Brazilian made a string of insulting posts, which included a profanity relating to China and a message mocking a security guard he photographed.

The posts were made on Friday during the club’s stay in Beijing, and though they were later deleted, Kenedy was booed by the home support during Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Bird’s Nest Stadium the following day.

Chinese media were highly critical of the 21-year-old and the subsequent fall-out and reaction has been a deeply embarrassing episode for Chelsea, in what was their first visit to the country since 2008. The FA has also written to both Kenedy and the club for their observations, with disciplinary action possibly following.