Enzo Fernandez has recently come under scrutiny due to an Instagram Live video where he and fellow Argentine players were seen singing a derogatory chant about other players. The song referenced the African heritage of many French players, with lyrics that translated to: “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.”
Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, France international Wesley Fofana, called the video “uninhibited racism.” In response, Fofana, along with Chelsea’s other French players—Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, and Malang Sarr—have unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
Fernandez has since issued a public apology, and Chelsea released a statement indicating that they will take action. Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in a record £105 million deal in 2023, wrote on Instagram: “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.”
Chelsea’s statement on Wednesday read: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome. We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”
A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into. FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans, and officials.”
The incident occurred while Fernandez was sharing a live video on Instagram during the team’s celebrations on a bus, before the footage was abruptly ended. The players singing the chant could not be identified.
Fofana, whose father is Ivorian, posted the video on social media, writing: “Le football en 2024 : racisme decomplexe,” which translates to: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”
The controversy stems from the celebrations following Argentina’s Copa America victory, where the chant was heard among sections of Argentine fans at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The French Football Federation (FFF) has lodged a complaint with FIFA over the remarks.
An FFF statement on Tuesday read: “The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks 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 America 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 Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”
DAily Independent