Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez is coming under increasing criticism after he filmed himself and many of his Argentina team-mates chanting a “racist” chant during their Copa América victory celebrations.
Fernandez sang the controversial song in which he claimed that French players are ‘from Angola’ or have a ‘Nigerian’ mother and a ‘Cameroonian’ father.
Chelsea have released a statement following the video posted by their midfielder, condemning ‘all forms’ of discriminatory behaviour.
“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’s statement began.
‘We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to inform ourselves.
Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team chanting a racist slogan about France
The video was recorded after Argentina defeated Colombia on Sunday to win the Copa America.
‘The Club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure.’
Their response came hours after Fernandez himself apologized, saying: “I would like to apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebration.
“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.”
Shortly after the video was posted, Fernandez was accused of ‘rampant racism’ by his French teammate Wesley Fofana. A number of other Blues players subsequently unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
Chelsea have a host of French players in their squad, including Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Mail Sport previously reported that sources close to the players had revealed that Chelsea’s French squad are furious with Fernandez.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana (centre), who also plays for France, expressed his disgust at the video. He is one of three Blues players Fernandez unfollowed on Instagram
Fans also voiced their displeasure, with many calling for the midfielder to be sold this summer
Many Blues fans are also angry with Fernandez, who moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 for a British record fee of £107 million, with many suggesting he should be sold this summer.
“I want Enzo Fernandez out of my club and I’m not joking,” one Blues supporter wrote on X. Another responded: “Chelsea need to terminate his contract or I’ll never watch their game again.”
One Chelsea fan demanded that Fernandez ‘please leave Chelsea’, while another said: ‘He doesn’t deserve to play for Chelsea.’
Fernandez has eight years left on his £180,000-a-week contract until 2032.
The controversial song was first heard around the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final in Qatar.
The match had already descended into chaos as Kylian Mbappé was the target of fierce insults from Emiliano Martinez, despite the French striker scoring a hat-trick and winning a penalty in the shootout.
Sources at Chelsea say they are taking the matter seriously and will take action.
Fernandez apologized late Tuesday night, saying he was “against discrimination in any form”
There were others who claimed the 23-year-old no longer deserves to play for the Blues
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo called the images “racist and discriminatory” and vowed to take legal action and file a complaint with FIFA.
“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.