Wesley Fofana and the French Football Federation (FFF) have condemned vision of Argentina's Copa America celebrations, alleging the team made "racially offensive and discriminatory remarks".
Chelsea and France defender Fofana used social media to highlight the nature of Argentina's celebrations, which were broadcast to Instagram by his club team-mate Enzo Fernandez, who has since apologised.
The FFF released a statement revealing they would file a legal complaint about Argentina's actions, while also challenging FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Football Association president Claudio Fabian Tapia to comment on the issue.
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Argentina's chant captured on video after Copa America final
After Fernandez posted footage of Argentina's celebrations following their Copa America final win against Colombia, his Chelsea team-mate Fofana reposted the footage on X with the caption, "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism."
It is alleged in the celebration video that Argentina's players made references to the family heritage of France's players, while alleged homophobic slurs are also heard.
The chants and remarks are believed to stem from the World Cup 2022 final in which Argentina defeated France on penalties.
French Football Federation statement on Argentina's celebrations
"The president of the French Football Federation, 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 América and broadcast in a video on social media," a statement from the FFF read.
"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 Argentinian counterpart and FIFA, and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature."
Wesley Fofana's relationship with Enzo Fernandez
Fofana and Fernandez have been team-mates at Premier League club Chelsea for the past 18 months.
They were also on opposite sides of an international rivalry between their nations France and Argentina, who played in the 2022 World Cup final.
Fofana and Chelsea team-mates Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram since the allegations have been made public.
Investigations into Argentina's celebrations
FIFA and the Argentina Football Association are yet to make comment on the racist celebrations.
However, reports suggest both Chelsea and the Premier League are investigating the vision.
Enzo Fernandez's apology
Hours after the allegations were levelled at Argentina, Fernandez used Instagram stories to apologise for the remarks made in the team's celebrations:
"I want to apologise 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 apologise 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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