Enzo Fernandez has issued an apology after he filmed himself singing an alleged racist and transphobic chant following Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final.
Taking to social media on Tuesday, the Chelsea star wrote: "I want to apologize 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 apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
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On the heels of Argentina's thrilling victory over Colombia on Sunday, Fernandez and his compatriots belted the words of a derogatory song about France's players. Video posted to social media captured members of the Argentine national team singing the first two lines of the chant before someone in the background can be heard telling Fernandez to "cut the video."
The song in question, which emerged around the time of France and Argentina's match in the 2022 World Cup final, goes: "Listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all from Angola, they are going to run well, they like to sleep with trans people, their mum is Nigerian, their dad is Cameroonian, but on the passport it says: French."
Fernandez's brief clip received immediate backlash from fans and players alike, as the midfielder's Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana shared a screen-grab of the video to X and Instagram alongside the caption: " Football in 2024: uninhibited racism." The Blues' Axel Diasi and Malo Gusto have additionally seemed to have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram in light of his offensive post.
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In an official statement from the French Football Federation, president Philippe Diallo called on the Argentine Football Association and FIFA to enact immediate repercussions for the chant, adding that the association had filed a legal complaint.
"Philippe Diallo condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which were made against the players of the French team in the context of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team after its victory in the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media," the message began.
"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 challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature."
Anti-racism association SOS Racisme released its own statement denouncing the video, writing: "We condemn these intolerable comments in the strongest possible terms. Racism has absolutely no place in sport, or in any other sphere of society. We demand that strict measures be taken against this deplorable behaviour."
Chelsea has reportedly launched an investigation into the footage, though no punishment has been handed down to Fernandez as of writing.
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