Enzo Fernandez has issued an apology after posting a video of himself singing an alleged racist and transphobic chant following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final.
On Tuesday, the Chelsea star took to social media to apologize, stating:. “I want to apologize 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 apologize for getting caught up in euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
After Argentina’s victory over Colombia on Sunday, footage captured Fernandez and his teammates singing a derogatory song about France’s players. The video, posted on social media, showed members of the Argentine national team singing the first two lines of the chant before someone in the background told Fernandez to “cut the video.”
The controversial song, which surfaced around the time of the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina. Includes offensive and discriminatory lyrics about French players’ heritage and sexuality.
The clip received immediate backlash from fans and players, including Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana. Who posted a screenshot of the video with the caption: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.” Chelsea players Axel Diasi and Malo Gusto also appeared to have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram following the incident.
In response, the French Football Federation (FFF) issued a statement from president Philippe Diallo. Condemning the remarks and calling for immediate action from the Argentine Football Association and FIFA. The FFF has also filed a legal complaint.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Anti-racism association SOS Racisme also condemned the video, stating: “We condemn these intolerable comments in the strongest possible terms. Racism has absolutely no place in sport, or in any other sphere of society. We demand that strict measures be taken against this deplorable behavior.”
Chelsea has reportedly launched an investigation into the footage, though they have not handed down any punishment to Fernandez at the time of writing.
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