The Chelsea midfielder filmed himself and his Argentina team-mates singing a racist chant (Image: X/ValverdeSZN)
Enzo Fernandez has been caught up in a storm of controversy after footage emerged showing him and his Argentina team-mates engaging in a racist and transphobic chant, seemingly targeting French star Kylian Mbappe. The Chelsea star is facing intense backlash for sharing a video where he and fellow Argentina players are heard singing a racist song.
It was directed at the French squad following their Copa America triumph over Colombia on Monday (July 15) – an incident now under investigation by Premier League club Chelsea. Despite issuing an apology for the vile chant, 23-year-old Fernandez's actions have caused outrage among some of his Chelsea colleagues.
It is believed that French players Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram, with Fofana condemning the act by sharing the video on X and his Instagram story, captioned: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism".
The football community was left reeling as the Argentine contingent was captured on camera belting out the offensive chant, which included racist and transphobic language. The lyrics began with: "On passport, French nationality, listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all...", followed by an abrupt call to "cut the video".
The chant that has caused uproar suggested that French players of African and Caribbean descent aren't French, with the lyrics: "Listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all from Angola, they are going to run well, they like to sleep with trans people, their mum is Nigerian, their dad is Cameroonian, but on the passport it says: French", reports the Mirror.
It's been insinuated that the transphobic element of the chant was directed at Kylian Mbappe, due to rumours linking him with previously dating transgender model Ines Rau. Following the widespread circulation of the chant on social media platforms, Fernandez issued an apologetic statement saying: "I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations, the song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words."
The Chelsea midfielder was unfollowed on Instagram by Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, and Malo Gusto (Image: Getty)
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He continued, expressing remorse: "I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise 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. I am truly sorry."
Chelsea, on Wednesday (July 17), confirmed the initiation of an "internal disciplinary procedure" with a firm statement. "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable," the club declared.
"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."
With the 2024/25 Premier League season just around the corner, Blues manager Enzo Maresca is facing the challenge of mending a divided dressing room.
