Chelsea Football Club issued a statement following the circulation of a video featuring Enzo Fernandez and his Argentina teammates, in which they sang a song deemed to be “racist” about the France national team.
This incident occurred after Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on Sunday night. Fernandez, during the post-match celebrations, went live on Instagram, capturing the moment when many of his teammates were chanting a song targeting French players with familial ties to several African countries who hold French passports.
The controversial lyrics of the chant specifically referenced the heritage of the French players: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola,” the song stated. “Their father is Nigerian, while their mother is from Cameroon. However, French is included on their passport.” This chant quickly drew widespread condemnation, including a strong rebuke from the France Football Federation (FFF).
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, FFF President Philippe Diallo expressed his outrage, condemning the discriminatory and inappropriate insults directed at the French squad players.
Diallo emphasized the seriousness of the matter, announcing that the FFF would formally report the incident to FIFA due to the discriminatory and racially abusive nature of the statements made by the Argentine players.
Responding to the backlash, Fernandez issued a statement early on Wednesday morning, expressing deep regret over his involvement in the incident. Fernandez, who had started in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia, took to his Instagram feed amid the national team’s celebrations to apologize for his actions.
In his video, Fernandez stated, “There is no justification whatsoever for the song’s extremely rude language. I regret getting sucked into the excitement of our Copa America festivities and declare my opposition to prejudice in all its manifestations.”
Fernandez further clarified that the words, the moments captured, and the video do not reflect his personal values or character. He emphasized that he is strongly against any form of discrimination and prejudice and expressed sincere apologies for the offense caused by the chant.
Following Fernandez’s public apology, Chelsea Football Club explained their decision to initiate an internal disciplinary process in response to the incident.
The club underscored the importance of addressing such issues promptly and thoroughly, aligning with their commitment to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. Chelsea’s actions highlight the significance of holding players accountable for their conduct, particularly in instances involving discriminatory behavior.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of professional athletes and the impact of their actions on and off the field. It underscores the need for continued efforts to combat racism and discrimination in sports, promoting a more inclusive and respectful environment for all players and fans.
As the situation develops, the responses from both Chelsea Football Club and the France Football Federation will likely influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, reinforcing the importance of integrity and respect within the global sports community.
