Chelsea have initiated disciplinary proceedings against Enzo Fernandez following the posting of a video on social media.
The live video was directed against French players of black and mixed races according to the French Football Federation (FFF) who described as featuring an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant.
The club released a statement acknowledging Fernandez’s apology and emphasizing the importance of education in addressing such issues. “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,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, the FFF announced its intention to file a complaint with FIFA regarding the video, which depicted members of the Argentina squad singing a song about France’s black players. Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, expressed his dismay by sharing the video on Instagram and labeling it as “uninhibited racism.”
Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in February 2023 for a British record fee of £107 million, has publicly apologized for the video, which was recorded as Argentina celebrated their Copa America victory. “The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words,” Fernandez said. “I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.”
FIFA investigates Enzo Fernandez
FIFA is also investigating the video, which shows several Argentina squad members participating in a chant originally sung by Argentina fans that questions the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.
This incident comes in the wake of France’s World Cup history with Argentina, having beaten them in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup and subsequently losing to them in the final of the 2022 World Cup.
