Following the circulation of a video featuring Enzo Fernandez and his Argentina teammates singing a song considered “racist” towards the French national team, Chelsea Football Club has issued an official statement addressing the incident.
The controversy erupted in the aftermath of Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. During the post-match celebrations, Fernandez broadcasted live on Instagram, capturing a moment where several Argentine players were heard chanting lyrics that targeted French players of African descent. The lyrics highlighted that while these players represent France, their heritage ties them to countries such as Angola, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
The controversial song included lines such as, “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their father is Nigerian, while their mother is from Cameroon. However, French is included on their passport.” This chant was perceived as mocking the multicultural background of the French team and sparked significant backlash.
In response to the incident, Philippe Diallo, the President of the France Football Federation (FFF), issued a strong condemnation. The FFF’s statement on Tuesday afternoon described the chants as “inappropriate and discriminatory insults” directed at the French squad. Additionally, the FFF announced plans to report the incident to FIFA, citing the “discriminatory and racially abusive statements” as unacceptable and warranting further investigation.
Early on Wednesday, Fernandez, who had played a role in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia, took to Instagram to release a statement of his own. In a video, he expressed deep regret over the incident and distanced himself from the offensive content, emphasizing his opposition to any form of prejudice.
“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. Those words, those moments, and that film don’t represent my values or my personality. I sincerely apologize,” Fernandez stated, expressing remorse and seeking to clarify his stance.
Chelsea also responded by issuing a statement explaining their decision to initiate an internal disciplinary process in light of the incident. The club emphasized its commitment to addressing the matter seriously, ensuring that appropriate actions would be taken to uphold their values of inclusivity and respect. The club’s statement underscored their dedication to fostering an environment free from discrimination and prejudice, reflecting their broader ethos and commitment to social responsibility.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges related to racism and discrimination in football, sparking conversations about the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to address such issues within the sport.