Chelsea have begun disciplinary motion after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was concerned in a video the place members of Argentina’s Copa America-winning squad made racist chants about French gamers with African heritage.
FIFA mentioned they’re additionally trying into the incident after the French soccer federation pledged to file a criticism with the game’s world governing physique over “racist and discriminatory remarks”.
Fernandez mentioned he was “really sorry” and Chelsea mentioned discriminatory behaviour was “fully unacceptable”.
“We’re proud to be a various, inclusive membership the place folks from all cultures, communities and identities really feel welcome,” the English Premier League membership mentioned in a press release on Wednesday.
“We acknowledge and respect our participant’s public apology and can use this as a chance to coach. The Membership has instigated an inside disciplinary process.”
Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida. Afterwards a video posted on Instagram confirmed Fernandez and Argentina gamers chanting about France’s group as they celebrated.
The identical chants – by some Argentina followers – emerged earlier than the group beat France within the World Cup last in 2022.
The derogatory chants single out France gamers of African heritage, from a number of nations, and holding a French passport.
Fernandez apologised 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,” he mentioned on Instagram. “I’m really sorry.”
Chelsea’s response got here after one in all Fernandez’s clubmates, France defender Wesley Fofana, posted the video on his social media accounts and known as it “uninhibited racism”.
Fofana has household ties to Ivory Coast and is amongst a number of black French gamers within the Chelsea first-team squad.