FIFA announced on Wednesday that it would launch an investigation over racial taunts made by Argentina’s players following their Copa America victory.
FIFA is investigating the incident after becoming aware of a video that is making the rounds on social media,” a representative for the organization that oversees world football stated. They further stated that “FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.” Following Sunday’s Copa triumph against Colombia in Miami, Chelsea and Argentina player Enzo Fernandez captured the shouts on camera while on the team bus and shared it on social media.A few athletes, including Fernandez, 23, recite a chant from the 2022 World Cup final, in which Argentina defeated France.
The song contains derogatory remarks about people of color and homosexuality, and it specifically criticizes Kylian Mbappe of France.
Fernandez was the subject of an internal disciplinary procedure that Chelsea had before revealed.
In a statement, the club said that Fernandez has apologized and that a “internal disciplinary procedure” has been started.
“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable,” it stated.”We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.”
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a Premier League record sum of 105 million pounds ($136.8 million) in 2023, stated in his apology: “The song contains highly offensive language, and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.”
“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.”
Javier Mascherano, the coach of Argentina’s Olympic football squad, defended Fernandez, claiming that the video had been “taken out of context”.”Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” explained Mascherano.
“I know Enzo; he’s a really kind man. The former midfielder for Barcelona and Liverpool emphasized, “He doesn’t have any issues like that.
“Parts of videos can frequently be taken out of context and used as part of a celebration.
“We live in a very inclusive nation, if there is one thing about us. In Argentina, we welcome residents from all over the world and treat them with respect.”
Regarding the chanting on Monday, FIFA received a complaint from the French Football Federation (FFF).Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, “condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team” .
Argentina was defeated by France in the 2018 World Cup’s round of 16.
