Chelsea Football Club has announced that they have initiated “internal disciplinary proceedings” in response to a video posted online by Enzo Fernandez, showing him and his Argentina teammates singing a chant that has been deemed “unacceptable, racist, and discriminatory” by the French Football Federation (FFF). The FFF has stated that they will file a legal complaint about the incident.
The video was shared after Fernandez and his Argentina teammates celebrated their victory in the Copa America final against Colombia. In the video, the players can be heard singing a chant that references the African heritage and immigrant backgrounds of some French players. The offensive chant includes references to Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, and France.
Fernandez has since posted an apology on social media, acknowledging that the song includes highly offensive language and stating that there is no excuse for those words. He expressed his stance against discrimination and apologized for getting caught up in the excitement of the Copa America celebrations, emphasizing that the video does not reflect his beliefs or character.
Chelsea Football Club has released a statement expressing their strong disapproval of all forms of discriminatory behavior. They stated that they are a diverse and inclusive club where everyone is welcome, regardless of their culture, community, or identity. The club has accepted Fernandez’s apology and plans to use this incident as an opportunity for education. They have also initiated an internal disciplinary procedure.
Wesley Fofana, a Black France international who plays alongside Fernandez at Chelsea, posted a video of the incident on social media. Fofana captioned the video with “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.” Unfortunately, Fofana’s message was met with racist replies from users on X and Instagram, highlighting the ongoing issue of racism in football.
In response to the incident, FIFA has expressed condemnation for any form of discrimination and has stated that they are investigating the matter. They emphasized that discrimination is unacceptable from anyone, including players, fans, and officials.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and CONMEBOL, the South American Football Federation responsible for organizing the Copa America, have not yet commented on the incident.
This incident once again brings attention to the persistent problem of racism in football. Despite efforts to combat discrimination, incidents like these continue to occur, demonstrating that there is still much work to be done to create an inclusive and respectful environment within the sport.
It is crucial for clubs, governing bodies, and players to take a strong stance against racism and discrimination, as Chelsea Football Club has done in this case. Education and awareness programs should be implemented to foster understanding and promote tolerance among players and fans alike.
Additionally, social media platforms need to address the issue of racist comments and take more proactive measures to prevent the spread of hate speech. It is disheartening to see that even in 2022, players like Wesley Fofana are subjected to racist abuse when speaking out against discrimination.
Ultimately, it is through collective efforts and a zero-tolerance approach that football can become a truly inclusive and diverse sport, where players and fans are free from discrimination and able to celebrate the game in a respectful and inclusive manner.