Enzo Fernandez’s ‘live broadcast’ on social media from the Argentina team bus after winning the Copa America prompted Chelsea to take a stand on Wednesday and launch disciplinary proceedings against the midfielder.
Chelsea FC considers all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive club where people of all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,” the London club said.
Chelsea also said they appreciated Enzo Fernandes’ “public apology” and said they had initiated an internal disciplinary process and would use “this opportunity to learn”.
In the final part of the video, which was suddenly cut off, you can hear a racist, xenophobic and transphobic song directed against Mbappe and the French team, which was already sung by Argentine fans during the 2022 World Cup. “They play for France, but they are from Angola, it’s great that they are going to run, they have relationships with transsexuals, their mother is Nigerian, their father is Cambodian, but in their passport: French,” are some of the lyrics.
The reaction was not long in coming, and the French Football Federation (FFF) announced that it would file a complaint against the Argentines. “Given the seriousness of the shocking statements, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to directly question his Argentine counterpart and FIFA, as well as to file a complaint with the court for offensive, racist and discriminatory remarks,” the organization headed by Philippe Diallo said in a statement. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudea-Castera also reacted on social media, condemning what she considered “behavior that is even more unacceptable because it is repeated.” Moreover, he considered the video “pathetic” and demanded a response from FIFA.
The controversy escalated when Wesley Fofana, a French defender at Chelsea, took to social media to criticise his teammate Enzo’s stance. “Football 2024: simple racism,” read the post by Fofana, one of five Chelsea players (along with Nkunku, Ugochukwu, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto) who have unfollowed the former Benfica midfielder on social media. Enzo apologised shortly afterwards: “These words do not reflect my beliefs or character.”