Enzo Fernandez has sparked outrage after posting a video of himself and some of his Argentina team-mates singing a racist song about French players. However, questions have been raised about who else joined in the disgusting chant.
The scandal has already caused divisions in the Chelsea dressing room, with Fernandez’s France team-mate Wesley Fofana accusing him of “blatant racism” and Nicolas Jackson defending the Argentine. However, the club have confirmed they are conducting an investigation.
A number of Albiceleste players were present on the team bus after the victory in Florida, but it is still unclear which players took part in the chants besides Fernandez.
The footage reportedly features two songs. The second song is said to have racist connotations and is part of a track that was created around the 2022 World Cup final.
A player wearing shorts with the number 16, Giovani Lo Celso’s shirt number at the Copa America, appears to beat the team bus to the rhythm of the first chant. It is unclear whether the player continues to chant during the second song.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team chanting a racist slogan about France
Fofana reposted the video via X with the text: ‘Football in 2024: unbridled racism’
Nicolas Jackson supported his Chelsea teammate in a series of Instagram posts
A clip from the footage shows Julian Alvarez sitting next to the Chelsea player on the bus. However, there is no evidence that the young Manchester City player took part in the chant in question.
Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho is not seen in the footage.
Reports suggest that it is Lisandro Martinez, a Manchester United teammate. However, this person is not joining in the chants and it is not yet clear whether it is actually the United defender.
Liverpool’s Alexis MacAllister was also not seen in the footage and it is unlikely he was on the bus. The same goes for talisman Lionel Messi.
A number of Premier League players who were part of the Argentina squad were active on social media after the match.
Garnacho is already on his way to enjoy his well-deserved time off after the summer competition. He shares a photo from the plane with the caption: ‘Vacation time’.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – who also does not appear in the video – posted a photo of himself in Southbeach, Florida, relaxing on a boat on the water.
Cristian Romero shared a photo on Instagram that appears to show his child holding the Copa America trophy in the cockpit of a plane, with the caption: “It’s safe with Chuky!”
Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul were also in what appeared to be a plane, posing with an Argentine staff member and the trophy, smiling as they watched the trophy after their second consecutive title.
It is unclear whether Martinez or Romero are in the images Fernandez posted on social media.
The Chelsea midfielder took to Instagram on Tuesday night to apologise, claiming he had been “caught up in the euphoria” of the team’s injury celebrations.
“I would like to apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,” his message began.
“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.
Alejandro Garnacho and Emiliano Martinez enjoyed their time off after the match in Florida
Giovani Lo Celso posed with Rodrigo De Paul and an Argentine coach with the trophy in a plane
Fernandez has apologized on social media for his actions after Argentina’s victory
“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all been contacted by Mail Sport for comment.