Chelsea star David Datro Fofana calls on football to ‘take the fight against racism seriously’ – after team-mate Enzo Fernandez is accused of ‘uninhibited racism’ following controversial Argentina song
David Datro Fofana has criticised racism in football on social media, saying the fight against racial discrimination “must be taken seriously by everyone involved in this sport”.
On Tuesday, his Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez posted a video online of him and several of his Argentine teammates singing a controversial song claiming that French players are “from Angola” or have a “Nigerian” mother and a “Cameroonian” father.
Chelsea later responded to the video, “condemning all forms of discriminatory behaviour as completely unacceptable”, while fellow Blues player Wesley Fofana called the video “blatant racism”.
The video has led to many in the football world speaking out against racism, with David Datro Fofana, 23, posting a photo of himself on his Instagram story with the caption: ‘The football I like is multi-ethnic.
“Racism in all its forms must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Fofana wrote.
David Datro Fofana took to Instagram on Wednesday to speak out against racism in football
Fofana, who joined Chelsea from Molde FK in 2023, spent last season on loan at Burnley
‘Such acts have no place in football, and nowhere else.
“This fight really needs to be taken seriously by everyone involved in this sport.”
Fofana was born in Marseille, France, to an Ivorian father and a French mother. He played three international matches for the Ivorian men’s national team.
Chelsea have since broken their silence over the video, which was posted after Argentina clinched the Copa America title with a 1-0 win over Colombia on Monday.
“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,” the club said.
‘We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to inform ourselves.
‘The Club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure.’
Mail Sport understands that Chelsea spoke to Fernandez first to verify the comments before issuing a public statement on the matter.
Fofana reposted the video via X with the text: ‘Football in 2024: unbridled racism’
Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team chanting a racist slogan about France
Several teammates have since unfollowed the Argentine midfielder, including Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto.
Fernandez apologized on Tuesday evening: “I want to apologize for a video I posted on my Instagram channel during the celebrations surrounding the national team.
“The song contains very offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I am against discrimination in any form and I apologize for having been 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.”
The video has been widely condemned, including by the French Football Federation
The song came into public consciousness when Argentine fans chanted it on TV during the 2022 World Cup
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo called the images “racist and discriminatory”
“Given the seriousness of these shocking comments, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the President of the FFF has decided to denounce his Argentine counterpart and FIFA directly and to file a legal complaint for offensive comments of a racist and discriminatory nature,” the FFF said.