'Get him out of our club': Chelsea fans slam £100m star Enzo Fernandez after he filmed himself singing a 'racist' chant - as club open investigation, one team-mate accuses him of 'uninhibited racism' and others unfollow him on social media

Backlash is growing against Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez after he filmed himself and many of his Argentina team-mates singing a 'racist' chant during celebrations of their Copa America win.

Fernandez could be heard singing the controversial song seemingly about how French players are 'from Angola' or have a 'Nigerian' mother and a 'Cameroonian' father.

Chelsea published a statement in response to the video posted by their midfielder, denouncing 'all forms' of discriminatory behaviour.

'Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,' began the club's statement.

'We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.

'The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.'

Their response came several hours after Fernandez himself had issued an apology, which read: 'I want to apologise 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.'

Swiftly after the video was posted, Fernandez was accused of 'uninhibited racism' by his French international team-mate Wesley Fofana , with a number of other Blues players then unfollowing Fernandez on social media.

Chelsea have a large number of French players among their squad including Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.

Mail Sport previously reported that sources close to the players have revealed that Chelsea's French contingent are furious with Fernandez.

The ire towards Fernandez, who moved to Stamford Bridge for British-record £107million on in January 2023, was also shared by many Blues fans, with scores calling for him to be sold this summer.

'I want Enzo Fernandez out of my club and I'm not even joking,' one Blues supporter wrote on X. Another commented: 'Chelsea should terminate his contract else I won’t watch their game again.'

One Chelsea fan demanded that Fernandez 'get off Chelsea pls,' while another said: 'He doesn't deserve to play for Chelsea.'

Fernandez has eight-years remaining on his £180,000-a-week deal which runs until 2032.

The controversial song first emerged around the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties in Qatar.

The game was already mired in bad-blood with Kylian Mbappe targeted by heavy taunting by Emiliano Martinez - despite the French striker scoring a hat-trick and a penalty in the shootout.

Sources at Chelsea say they are taking the matter seriously and will proceed accordingly.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo branded the footage 'racist and discriminatory' and vowed to take legal action with a complaint to FIFA.

'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,' added the FFF.