Chelsea have “instigated an inside disciplinary process” following Enzo Fernandez’s video posted on social media, which the French Soccer Federation alleges is racist.
Fernandez and a few of his Argentina team-mates have been chanting a derogatory track which mocks the heritage of the France crew in an Instagram dwell video printed on his account after they beat Colombia within the Copa America closing on Sunday.
Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate, reposted the video on X with the phrases: “Soccer in 2024: uninhibited racism”.
Fernandez later apologised on Instagram for posting the video and any offence its content material might have induced.
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On Wednesday morning Chelsea launched a membership assertion: “Chelsea Soccer Membership finds all types of discriminatory behaviour utterly unacceptable. We’re proud to be a various, inclusive membership the place individuals from all cultures, communities and identities really feel welcome.
“We acknowledge and respect our participant’s public apology and can use this as a chance to teach.
“The membership has instigated an inside disciplinary process.”
Sky Sports activities Information understands Chelsea needed to converse to Fernandez first to ensure the video and audio have been actual and, when that was confirmed, the membership instantly began an inside disciplinary process.
Sky Sports activities Information understands FIFA has begun its investigation into the incident and can look to talk to Fernandez.
A FIFA spokesperson stated: “FIFA strongly condemns any type of discrimination by anybody together with gamers, followers and officers.”
Sky Sports activities Information understands that French Soccer Federation President Philippe Diallo has communicated to FIFA that they won’t settle for a slap on the wrist.
In a while Wednesday, Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, who spent the second half of final season on mortgage at Burnley, posted on social media: “The soccer that I like is multi-ethnic.
“Racism in all its kinds must be condemned within the strongest potential phrases. These acts haven’t any place in soccer and even anyplace else.
“This combat actually must be taken significantly by everybody concerned on this sport.”
Fernandez: I’m really sorry
The statements from Chelsea and FIFA got here after Fernandez stated he was “really sorry” for the video.
“The track contains highly-offensive language and there’s completely no excuse for these phrases,” the 23-year-old stated.
“I stand in opposition to discrimination in all kinds and apologise for getting caught up within the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that second, these phrases, don’t mirror my beliefs or my character.
“I’m really sorry.”
French Soccer Federation to file authorized grievance
The French Soccer Federation has stated it’s going to file a authorized grievance alleging “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks” have been made by Argentina gamers.
In a press release, the FFF – the governing physique of French soccer – stated its president Philippe Diallo would problem FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Soccer Affiliation boss Claudio Fabian Tapia to reply to the alleged remarks.
The assertion learn: “The president of the French Soccer Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns within the strongest phrases the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which have been made in opposition to the gamers of the French crew within the context of a track sung by gamers and supporters of the Argentina crew after its victory within the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media.
“Confronted with the seriousness of those surprising remarks, opposite to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF determined to straight problem his Argentinian counterpart and FIFA, and to file a authorized grievance for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature.”
Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out within the 2022 World Cup closing, a match round which some followers of the Argentina crew have been heard to sing discriminatory songs.
Kick It Out: Motion extra essential than phrases
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out:
“The video of the Argentina crew singing a discriminatory chant is unacceptable and clearly must cease. We stand with and present our full assist to Wesley Fofana after he responded publicly and introduced it to wider consideration.
“Though there was an apology from Enzo Fernandez, and Chelsea say they are going to examine the incident, a number of gamers are seen singing the track which suggests there will probably be a wider affect on team-mates and followers at different golf equipment. We name upon all related golf equipment, the Argentina federation and FIFA to deal with this regarding concern with empathy, sensitivity and understanding.
“Responses to those incidents can not begin and finish with an apology. Extra essential is the motion taken afterwards to make sure gamers are educated and held accountable, each in England and on a world scale.”
Sporting Equals condemns video shared by Fernandez
Sports activities race equality charity Sporting Equals:
“Sporting Equals condemns, within the strongest potential phrases, the video that has emerged on social media of Chelsea and [Argentine] footballer Enzo Fernandez and a few team-mates singing a racist track. The lyrics belittle the lived experiences of the French footballers and their ancestors. The phrases query the authenticity of these gamers’ proper to characterize France.
“We applaud Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s club-mate at Chelsea, who has challenged this behaviour. The simple factor for him to do can be to remain quiet. By publicly addressing this he has made it clear that this is not going to be tolerated and we hope that his membership will assist him and others at this tough time.
“Whereas the incident came about following the Copa America closing it is very important give attention to the very latest positives nearer to residence. The UEFA Males’s European Soccer Championships supplied a chance to rejoice the range of participant international locations.
“Following England’s success there have been clear illustrations throughout social media of the optimistic affect that immigration has had on the nationwide crew. Actions reminiscent of these by members of the French nationwide crew, difficult the far proper in press conferences, present that soccer is extra united in opposition to racism. The ethnic variety of the 2 finalists, England and Spain, proves that race equality and fairness is a power.
“That stated we should not shrink back from calling out racism after we witness it. Sporting Equals expects that Chelsea, The Premier League, The FA and FIFA will act swiftly and decisively on these sickening chants.”