Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana has accused his teammate Enzo Fernandez of racism. This follows the circulation of a video featuring Argentina’s football players chanting. Chelsea has launched an internal disciplinary procedure in response to this incident.
Enzo Fernandez has issued an apology for posting the video, which showed players singing chants described by the French football federation (FFF) as “racially offensive and discriminatory.” The FFF has announced its intention to file a complaint with FIFA.
Wesley Fofana shared the video on social media platform X, captioning it: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.” This accusation by Fofana has sparked significant controversy.
Fernandez apologized on Instagram, stating,
“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 character or beliefs. I am truly sorry.”
Chelsea has confirmed the initiation of a disciplinary procedure against Fernandez. The club issued a statement saying, “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable.
We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities, and identities feel welcome. 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.”
The offensive chants reportedly emerged following Argentina’s Copa America final victory over Colombia. Fernandez, a 23-year-old midfielder, was part of the Argentina team that won the Copa America.
The FFF released a statement expressing their condemnation:
“Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly appeal to his Argentinian counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges football faces in combating racism. Both Chelsea and the wider football community continue to emphasize the importance of inclusivity and respect within the sport.
Fernandez’s apology and the club’s response highlight a commitment to addressing and rectifying such issues, reinforcing the stance against any form of discrimination.
