Chelsea’s squad is ‘very angry’ with Enzo Fernandez and his Argentina teammates for singing a ‘racist’ song about France after their Copa America victory.
Following Argentina’s win over Colombia, footage emerged showing Fernandez and his teammates singing a discriminatory song about the French team.
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The lyrics included: “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.”
The song also contained a derogatory reference to Kylian Mbappe’s connection with transgender model Ines Rau.
Fernandez recorded the footage on his phone via Instagram Live while on the team bus, ending the feed after receiving criticism on social media. Journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that Chelsea players, especially the French ones, are furious about these chants.
The French Football Federation has announced it will file a lawsuit for these “abusive remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”
In a press release, FFF president Philippe Diallo condemned the actions of the Argentina players and urged FIFA and the Argentine Football Association to take action.
The statement reads: “Press release from the French Football Federation following comments made about players in the French national team.
“The President of the Fédération Française de Football, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest possible terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory comments made against players of the French national 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 networks.
“In view of the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which run counter to the values of sport and human rights, the President of the FFF has decided to take his Argentine counterpart and FIFA directly to court and to file a complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana also reacted to the chant. On Instagram, he posted a clip of Fernandez singing on the bus, captioning it: “Football in 2024. Unabashed racism.”
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez is expected to return to the Premier League side for pre-season soon.
It is unclear how he will be received when he returns to the Blues and whether FIFA or the Argentinian Football Association will respond to the FFF’s request.
The Daily Mail has reported that Chelsea is investigating the incident.