Former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano has defended fellow countryman Enzo Fernandez as the Chelsea midfielder comes under fire for his part in a racist video.
Fernandez went live on Instagram while filming himself celebrating with some of his Argentina teammates following their victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. During the celebrations, the players were heard singing a song that allegedly contained racist remarks aimed at French players.
The video was denounced by Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, while the French Football Federation has issued an official complaint to FIFA.
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Chelsea has now begun disciplinary proceedings against Fernandez , although the club’s statement in response to the video has been widely slammed by supporters. Fernandez himself has apologized for the video , saying he is “truly sorry”.
Former Liverpool midfielder Mascherano though has leapt to the defense of Fernandez though. The 40-year spoke ahead of the Olympics, where Mascherano will be leading the Argentina soccer team.
"I know Enzo,” Mascherano told AFP (via La Nacion) . “He's a great guy and has no problem with that at all. What happens is that often, during a celebration, a part of a video can be taken and removed from its context.
"If there's one thing we are as a country, it's a totally inclusive country. In Argentina, people from all over the world live here, and we treat them as they should be treated. In fact, we shouldn't forget that many of us have European ancestors. It has been a country formed and developed by people who have come from many parts of the world.
"Often, you have to understand the culture of each country, and often what we understand as a joke can be misinterpreted elsewhere. In this case, I know Enzo, I know the kind of person he is.
“He has made it known on social media that he apologized. Sometimes things are made out to be much bigger than they are. And I believe that when someone makes a mistake, the first thing they should do is try to apologize. Enzo has already spoken."
The French Football Federation though has challenged FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Argentina FA to respond. "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,” a statement said.
The full lyrics to the song, sung by the Argentine team, are: "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."
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