Enzo Fernandez issues apology after sparking Chelsea race row

Enzo Fernandez has apologised after a video he posted on social media was described by his Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana as “uninhibited racism”.

Midfielder Fernandez sparked a racism storm when he filmed Argentina players singing a racist and homophobic song as they celebrated their Copa America win on Sunday night.

The song was first sung by their fans ahead of the 2022 World Cup Final, in which Argentina beat France. Words include “they play in France but they are all from Angola” and also references players’ parents being from Nigeria and Cameroon. The song also directs homophobic insults at France captain Kylian Mbappe.

Fofana posted the video on social media and said: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”

Fofana and club-mates Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi have unfollowed Fernandez on social media, and Chelsea have launched an “internal disciplinary procedure” amid a row that has divided their dressing room.

Fernandez had been due to have an extended summer break after playing at the Copa America and had been expected back at Chelsea next month. But it remains to be seen whether the 23-year-old will be hauled in early, as new Blues boss Enzo Maresca faces up to his first big challenge since taking over. Fernandez posted on social media overnight to apologise for the video.He said there was “no excuse” for his actions, adding: “That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.”

In a post on Instagram, Fernandez said: “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.”

Fernandez posted the video on the Argentina team bus after they beat Colombia in Miami. Chelsea said in a statement: “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.

“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 French Football Federation (FFF) said they plan to lodge a complaint with FIFA and take legal action. FFF president Philippe Diallo “condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team”.

France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, has also called for FIFA to take action. “Pathetic. Behaviour all the more unacceptable because it is repeated,” she wrote on social media.

Tottenham players Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were also part of the Argentina squad but were not recorded in the video posted by Fernandez.

Manchester United duo Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel, of Nottingham Forest, are other Premier League players in Argentina’s squad.