Argentina triumphed in the Copa America on Monday, with the reigning world champions coming out on top against Colombia in the final, with Lautaro Martinez scoring the only goal in extra time. However, the celebrations got out of hand. Videos of the celebrations circulated on social media, with one recording causing a huge scandal.
Chelsea's racist scandal continues. Special apology to the team
Argentina's national football team players chanted insulting chants against the French, and the recording was posted on the website of Enzo Fernandez, a Chelsea player“They play in France, but they all come from Angola. Mbappe's mother is from Nigeria, his father from Cameroon, and his documents say he has French citizenship,” we hear in the recording from the live broadcast.
The recording of Fernandez and other Argentine players reached French Chelsea players. One of them is Wesley Fofana, who decided to briefly comment on the situation on the X portal. “Football in 2024: unfettered racism” – wrote the Chelsea defender. The French federation has already announced that it will sue its Argentine association and FIFA and file a complaint.
The situation has become very serious, so Enzo Fernandez decided to make a statement on his social media profile. “The chant has very offensive language and there is no excuse for these words. I am against discrimination in all forms. I apologize for getting caught up in this during our celebration. I am very sorry, this video does not reflect my beliefs or my character,” Fernandez wrote on Instagram.
According to the British The Telegraph, in addition to publicly apologizing for his role in the video, Enzo Fernandez also issued a special apology message that was sent to all Chelsea players. The club also confirmed that they had initiated an internal disciplinary procedure into the matter, which will most likely end with a fine for the Argentine player. “We acknowledge and appreciate the public apology from our player and will use this as an educational opportunity. The club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure,” they said.
Enzo Fernandez is currently on holiday and is not expected to meet up with the team again until the end of the month, and the situation will be an early test for new manager Enzo Maresca. The squad is divided. Several Chelsea players have followed the Argentine on Instagram, while Nico Jackson appeared to show his support for his colleague by posting a photo of them together on social media.