Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez Apologises After Racist Video Shared On Instagram Causes Investigations (Image: Instagram.com/enzojfernandez)
English football club Chelsea are investigating a video posted on social media by midfielder Enzo Fernandez, which the French Football Federation (FFF) says includes an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant. Fernandez, who plays for both Chelsea and Argentine national side, has since apologised after the FFF announced on Tuesday it would file a complaint to international footballing body FIFA over the video featuring a song sung by some of the Argentina squad about France’s players.
Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate, Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, describing it as “uninhibited racism.” BBC Sport understands Chelsea is treating the incident seriously.
Reacting to the development, Enzo Fernandez issued an apology:
“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, does not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
The FFF also plans to contact the Argentine Football Association (AFA) regarding the live video posted by Fernandez as Argentina celebrated their Copa America victory, after beating Colombia 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
FFF President Philippe Diallo “condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the French team.” He added, “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 appeal to his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”
The Argentine FA has been approached for comment. France and Argentina have a history of competitive encounters, with France beating Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup and Argentina emerging victorious in the final of the 2022 World Cup.
