Enzo Fernandez has sparked outrage after posting a video showing him and some of his Argentina team-mates singing a racist song about French players – but questions have been posed as to who else was joining in with the vile chant.
The Argentina international and a number of his team-mates appeared to sing a controversial song seemingly claiming French players are ‘from Angola’ or have a ‘Nigerian’ mother and a ‘Cameroonian’ father.
The scandal has already split the Chelsea dressing room, with Fernandez’s French team-mate Wesley Fofana accusing him of ‘uninhibited racism’ and Nicolas Jackson defending the Argentine, while the club have confirmed they are investigating.
A number of the Albiceleste squad were present on the team bus following the victory in Florida but it is still unclear which players were taking part in the chanting beyond Fernandez.
It is thought that the footage contains two songs, according to reports; the second being the one that has alleged racist connotations and is part of a song that emerged around the 2022 World Cup final.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team singing a racist chant about France
Fofana reposted the video via X alongside the words: ‘Football in 2024: uninhibited racism’
Nicolas Jackson came out in support of his Chelsea team-mate in a series of Instagram posts
A player wearing shorts bearing the No 16, which is Giovani Lo Celso’s squad number at the Copa America, appears to be banging the team bus in time with the first chant. It is unclear whether the player continues to chant during the second song.
Julian Alvarez was seen in a snippet of the footage record by Fernandez sat next to the Chelsea player on the bus, however there is no evidence of the Manchester City youngster taking part in the singing of the chant.
Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho is not featured in the footage.
Reports have suggested that one figure in the footage might be his Manchester United team-mate Lisandro Martinez, however that person is not taking part in any of the chanting, and it is as yet inconclusive whether it is in fact the United defender.
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was not seen in the footage either, and is not thought to have been on the bus, nor indeed was talisman Lionel Messi.
That has not stopped Julio Garro, undersecretary of sports in Argentina, from demanding Messi and his team-mates apologise.
A number of Premier League players that were part of the Argentina squad have been active on social media following the game.
Garnacho is already on his way to celebrate some well-earned time off after the summer competition, sharing a snap from a plane with the caption: ‘Vacation time’.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – who also did not appear to be in the video – posted a picture of himself in Southbeach, Florida, on a boat out on the water relaxing.
Cristian Romero took to Instagram to share a picture with what appears to be his child holding the Copa America trophy in the cockpit of a plane, with the caption: ‘It’s safe with Chuky!’
Fernandez has taken to social media to apologise for his actions after Argentina’s win
Argentina were celebrating winning a second successive Copa America title on Sunday
Alejandro Garnacho and Emiliano Martinez have been enjoying their time off following the match in Florida
Giovani Lo Celso posed with Rodrigo De Paul and an Argentina coach with the trophy on a plane
Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul were also on what appeared to be a plane, posing with an Argentina staff member and the trophy smiling in the wake of their second successive crown.
It is unclear whether Martinez or Romero were in the footage posted by Fernandez on social media.
The Chelsea midfielder published an apology on Instagram on Tuesday night, claiming that he was ‘caught up in the euphoria’ of the team’s celebrations.
‘I want to apologise for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,’ his message began.
‘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.’
Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram, while sources close to the players have revealed to Mail Sport that Chelsea’s French contingent are furious with Fernandez.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Chelsea said: ‘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 song originated in public when Argentina fans chanted it on TV at the 2022 World Cup
The split in Chelsea’s dressing room provides an early test for new boss Enzo Maresca
‘The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.’
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo branded the footage ‘racist and discriminatory’ and vowed to take legal action with a complaint to FIFA.
‘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,’ added the FFF.
Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all been approached for comment by Mail Sport.
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Publish date : 2024-07-17 09:00:46
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