FIFA and FC Chelsea investigate Argentine racist chants
Argentina wrote sports headlines, but the Copa America win is a successful coronation for old stars Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi. However, the trophy quickly fades into the background due to racist chants. Several proceedings have been initiated.
FC Chelsea has initiated disciplinary proceedings against its midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The 23-year-old shared a video with racist chants about the French football national team. His English employer from London condemned discriminatory behavior in any form in a statement. The Football World Cup FIFA also announced an investigation into the incident.
Previously, Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), announced that he would file a complaint with FIFA regarding racist and discriminatory statements by Argentine national players. Diallo referred to a song sung by players of the Argentine national team after their 1:0 victory against Colombia at the Copa America on Sunday, which was spread in social networks in a video.
The video, which Premier League professional Fernandez posted on Instagram, shows Argentine players singing derogatory texts about French players of African descent on a bus after the final victory. French defender Wesley Fofana, who also plays for Chelsea, posted the video on his social media accounts and described it as "unchecked racism".
Fernandez deletes video and apologizes
Fernandez deleted his video later and apologized on Wednesday in an Instagram story. "The song contains extremely offensive language and there is no apology for these words," wrote the 23-year-old. "I am against discrimination in any form and I apologize for letting myself be carried away by the euphoria of our Copa America celebration. This video, this moment, these words do not reflect my beliefs or my character. It really hurts me."
The French Football Federation had previously announced: "Given the gravity of these shocking statements, which contradict the values of sport and human rights, the President of the FFF has decided to directly contact his Argentine colleague and the FIFA." Diallo condemned the unacceptable racist and discriminatory statements against French national players.
"Disgraceful behavior"
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra wrote on X: "Disgraceful. A behavior that is all the more unacceptable when it recurs." Before the World Cup final in Qatar between France and Argentina two years ago, some Argentine fans had already sung the same chants, as reported by the news agency AP. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had stated that football and its 211 national federations must follow a zero-tolerance policy against racism and in May had announced the re-establishment of a task force to monitor such cases.
The Argentina vs. Colombia match on Sunday was marked by chaotic conditions. The game could only be started almost 90 minutes later than scheduled because fans without tickets tried to enter Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
FC Chelsea's midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who apologized for posting a video with racist chants about French football players, could face consequences beyond his club. FIFA, the governing body of soccer worldwide, is investigating the incident. Similarly, the Copa America winners FC Chelsea's Argentine stars, including Di Maria and Messi, have been associated with racist chants, which contrasts their victorious celebrations.
