Enzo Fernández Sorry for Argentina Players' 'Highly Offensive' Chant, Chelsea Teammate Calls Video 'Uninhibited Racism'
The national team's xenophobic chant post-victory was condemned by the French Football Federation, which intends to "file a lawsuit for abusive remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature."
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández is apologizing for posting a video of his teammates singing a racist chant following their win over Colombia in the Copa América final.
On Sunday, 23-year-old Fernández shared a video on Instagram in which Argentina players appeared to sing about French players with African heritage.
Fernández's Chelsea teammate, French defender Wesley Fofana, also 23, posted the Argentina team video on his social media accounts and called it “uninhibited racism.”
On Tuesday, the video was condemned by the French Football Federation, with FFF president Philippe Diallo urging both the Argentine Football Association and FIFA to take action.
The FFF intends to "file a lawsuit for abusive remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature."
Fernández has since issued an apology, taking to his Instagram Story on Tuesday night to "apologise sincerely."
"The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words," Fernández wrote. "I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations."
He concluded, "That video, that moment, those words do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
Journalist Fabrice Hawkins claimed on X, "Chelsea players, especially the French, are very angry by the racist chants of the Argentinians and by Enzo Fernández."
British tabloid the Daily Mail reports that Chelsea is "investigating the controversial footage" and claims that Fofana, as well as teammates Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi, unfollowed Fernández on Instagram.
