Chelsea release statement over Enzo Fernandez’s ‘racist’ video as Argentina star issues apology with club teammates fuming
Chelsea and FIFA are investigating a video posted on social media by midfielder Enzo Fernandez that has sparked fury among his club teammates.
Fernandez shared a video following Argentina's Copa America final victory on Sunday in which members of the national team appear to be singing a racist and discriminatory chant.
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The song references how many of France's players are of African heritage, with a translated version being: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French.”
Fernandez's Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who is a France international, has described the video as "uninhibited racism".
He has unfollowed Fernandez on social media, along with the rest of Chelsea's French contingent Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr.
The French Football Federation, meanwhile, has filed a complaint to FIFA and the world governing body have confirmed they will launch a probe into the matter.
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Fernandez has since issued an apology, while Chelsea have released a statement saying they will take action.
Fernandez, who signed for Chelsea in a record £105m deal in 2023, wrote on Instagram: "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.
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"That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
Chelsea confirmed they are investigating as they face a player revolt over the incident.
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The Premier League club released a statement on Wednesday morning that read: "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."
A FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into. FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials."
Fernandez, who will now be enjoying a post-season break before reporting back to Chelsea, was sharing a live video on Instagram when the vile chant was heard on the team bus before the footage was abruptly ended.
Amid the celebrations, no player could be identified by the footage over who was singing the chant.
Chelsea centre-back Fofana, who is the son of an Ivorian father, took to social media to share the video, where he fired a stinging message towards the Argentina squad.
The French defender wrote: "Le football en 2024 : racisme decomplexe," which loosely translates to: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism."
The issue poses a potentially major problem for new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, as he looks to calm the fury among the squad over Fernandez's actions.
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Argentina played France in the World Cup final in 2022, which finished 3-3 and went to penalties.
The Albiceleste went on to claim victory in the shootout despite Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick as Lionel Messi bagged twice and lifted his first World Cup.
It was during this match when the chant was heard from sections of the Argentine fans at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
And the chants made by the Argentina squad following their Copa America triumph have resulted in the French Football Federation (FFF) lodging a complaint with FIFA over the 'shocking' remarks.
An FFF statement on Tuesday read: “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 America and broadcast in a video on social media.
“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.”
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It was Lautaro Martinez who scored an extra-time winner for Argentina against Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium, where a security breach led to the match being delayed by 75 minutes.
Messi, meanwhile, was forced off with a gruesome injury to his ankle that saw his foot horrifically swell up.