‘Football in 2024 – uninhibited racism’: France slam Enzo Fernandez, Argentina for racist chants after Copa America

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has slammed his club teammate Enzo Fernandez and the Copa America-winning Argentina team for their racist chants targetting France players.

In a video shared by Fernandez on his Instagram account following Argentina’s 1-0 final win over Colombia on Sunday, the 23-year-old and his teammates are seen singing racist and discriminatory chants. Some of the deregatory verses in the song were: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French.”

The song also had derogatory references about France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe’s connection with transgender model Ines Rau.

France launch strong response

The remarks have reportedly irked the French contingent within Chelsea. The team comprises several French Black players, including Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

Taking to X, Fofana captioned Fernandez’s video: “Football in 2024 – uninhibited racism.” Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde labelled the video “lamentable” on social media.

The France Football Association (FFF) has also issued its statement with president Philippe Diallo challenging FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Football Association president, Claudio Fabian Tapia, to respond to the remarks in the footage. FFF also confirmed that it will file an official complaint over the video.

“The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which were made against the players of the French team in the context of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team after its victory in the Copa América and broadcast in a video on social media.

“Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentinian counterpart and Fifa, and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature,” the FFF statement read.

Fernandez issues apology

Meanwhile, Fernandez issued an apology on his social media account on Wednesday. "I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations. The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.

"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry," wrote Fernandez.

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