July 17 – The French FA have pledged to file a complaint with FIFA over “racist and discriminatory remarks” by Argentina players in post-match chants about the French team after their Copa America title win.
After Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday, a video posted on Instagram by Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, widely viewed on X, showed Argentina players appearing to question the African heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.
One of Fernandez’s Chelsea teammates, France defender Wesley Fofana, posted the video on his social media accounts Tuesday and called it “uninhibited racism.”
Fofana, who has family ties to Ivory Coast, is among several black French players in the Chelsea first-team squad.
The same chants – by some Argentina fans – emerged before France and Argentina met in the World Cup final two years ago.
“Given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to contact its Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks,” the French FA said in a statement.
“The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the France team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team,” the FFF added. Diallo is also a member of UEFA’s executive committee.
Chelsea say they have begun disciplinary proceedings against Fernandez, a £107 million British record signing in February 2023 who said he was “truly sorry” for the video.
“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.”
A Chelsea statement read: “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.”
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