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Enzo Fernandez, a member of the FIFA World Cup winning squad that beat France in the final of the 2022 showpiece was seen making racial chants towards French footballers which did not go well with the players. The racial chant was widely criticised by French media and fans while Fernandez’s own Chelsea teammates at Chelsea (also French internationals) have acted swiftly.
Chelsea Football Club has released a statement regarding Enzo Fernandez’s alleged racial chants during his side’s Copa America 2024 triumph. Fernandez, a member of the FIFA World Cup winning squad that beat France in the final of the 2022 showpiece was seen making racial chants towards French footballers which did not go well with the players. The racial chant was widely criticised by French media and fans while Fernandez’s own Chelsea teammates at Chelsea (also French internationals) have acted swiftly.
Chelsea FC has published the following statement…
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 17, 2024 ×
Chelsea issue statement on Enzo Fernandez racial chants
On Wednesday morning Chelsea released a club statement: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities, and identities feel welcome.
“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
“The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure,” a statement from Chelsea Football Club read.
International football body FIFA has also acted on the issue as they condemned the behaviour of the player and could soon launch an investigation of their own. The incident has already been reported by the French Football Federation (FFF) to the Argentina Football Federation.
“FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are all set to take formal action against the Argentina midfielder, who also happens to be the club’s most expensive player. While the extent of the action is unknown, it will only materialise after he reports to the Chelsea pre-training once back after the post-Copa America holidays. He could face a hefty fine along with community service in the team.
Earlier Fernandez also gave his apology for the event stating: “The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words,” said Fernandez.
“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that moments, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.”