Backlash is rising towards Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez after he filmed himself and plenty of of his Argentina team-mates singing a ‘racist’ chant throughout celebrations of their Copa America win.
Fernandez may very well be heard singing the controversial track seemingly about how French gamers are ‘from Angola’ or have a ‘Nigerian’ mom and a ‘Cameroonian’ father.
Chelsea printed an announcement in response to the video posted by their midfielder, denouncing ‘all types’ of discriminatory behaviour.
‘Chelsea Soccer Membership finds all types of discriminatory behaviour utterly unacceptable. We’re proud to be a various, inclusive membership the place folks from all cultures, communities and identities really feel welcome,’ started the membership’s assertion.
‘We acknowledge and admire our participant’s public apology and can use this as a chance to teach.
Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina workforce singing a racist chant about France
The video was shot after Argentina beat Colombia on Sunday to win the Copa America
‘The Membership has instigated an inner disciplinary process.’
Their response got here a number of hours after Fernandez himself had issued an apology, which learn: ‘I wish to apologise for a video posted on my Instagram channel in the course of the nationwide workforce celebrations.
‘The track contains extremely offensive language and there’s completely no excuse for these phrases. I stand towards discrimination in all types and apologise for getting caught up within the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
‘That video, that second, these phrases, don’t mirror my beliefs or my character. I’m actually sorry.’
Swiftly after the video was posted, Fernandez was accused of ‘uninhibited racism’ by his French worldwide team-mate Wesley Fofana, with plenty of different Blues gamers then unfollowing Fernandez on social media.
Chelsea have numerous French gamers amongst their squad together with Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Mail Sport beforehand reported that sources near the gamers have revealed that Chelsea’s French contingent are livid with Fernandez.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana (center), who additionally performs for France, vented his disgust on the video. He’s considered one of three Blues gamers to unfollow Fernandez on Instagram
Followers equally voiced their displeasure, with many calling for the midfielder to be offered this summer season
The ire in the direction of Fernandez, who moved to Stamford Bridge for British-record £107million on in January 2023, was additionally shared by many Blues followers, with scores calling for him to be offered this summer season.
‘I would like Enzo Fernandez out of my membership and I am not even joking,’ one Blues supporter wrote on X. One other commented: ‘Chelsea ought to terminate his contract else I received’t watch their sport once more.’
One Chelsea fan demanded that Fernandez ‘get off Chelsea pls,’ whereas one other mentioned: ‘He does not need to play for Chelsea.’
Fernandez has eight-years remaining on his £180,000-a-week deal which runs till 2032.
The controversial track first emerged across the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France within the remaining on penalties in Qatar.
The sport was already mired in bad-blood with Kylian Mbappe focused by heavy taunting by Emiliano Martinez – regardless of the French striker scoring a hat-trick and a penalty within the shootout.
Sources at Chelsea say they’re taking the matter severely and can proceed accordingly.
Fernandez belatedly issued an apology on Tuesday evening, during which he claimed to ‘stand towards discrimination in all types’
There have been others who claimed that the 23-year-old now not deserves to play for the Blues
French Soccer Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo branded the footage ‘racist and discriminatory’ and vowed to take authorized motion with a criticism to FIFA.
‘Confronted with the seriousness of those surprising remarks, opposite to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF determined to instantly problem his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a authorized criticism for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature,’ added the FFF.
