Chelsea Football Club issued a strong condemnation of racist behavior exhibited by their player Enzo Fernández and his Argentina teammates after the Copa América final against Colombia.
The club emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, expressing that all forms of discrimination are unacceptable. Chelsea acknowledged Fernández’s public apology and indicated that they would use the incident as an educational opportunity, while also initiating an internal disciplinary procedure.
Fernández, who also plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, posted a video on social media where he and his teammates were seen singing offensive chants targeting France players of African heritage.
This behavior was not isolated, as similar chants were observed among Argentina fans before the 2022 World Cup final. Fernández issued a heartfelt apology, distancing himself from the sentiments expressed in the video and affirming that those words did not reflect his beliefs or character.
The incident prompted reactions from other football entities and players. Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana, a member of the French national team, condemned the video as showing blatant racism.
The French Football Federation (FFF) released a statement denouncing the chants and announced plans to file a legal complaint. The FFF president, Phillipe Diallo, emphasized the gravity of the racist remarks and expressed intentions to appeal directly to both his Argentine counterpart and FIFA.
FIFA confirmed that they were aware of the video and stated that the incident was under investigation. This situation was part of a series of controversies that tarnished the Copa América tournament, including a brawl involving Uruguayan players and chaotic scenes at both the semifinal and final matches.
The final, which saw Argentina triumph over Colombia, was delayed significantly due to disorder among fans.
Despite the success of Argentina on the field, the post-match behavior of some players and fans highlighted ongoing issues of racism and discrimination in football. Chelsea’s response, along with the actions of the FFF and FIFA, underscores the broader commitment within the sport to address and combat such unacceptable behavior.
