Chelsea have announced they have begun an ‘internal disciplinary procedure’ following video footage of Enzo Fernandez singing an offensive song about France with his Argentina team-mates.
It has caused fury and outrage amongst his team-mates at Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,” the club statement reads.
“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 chant, which was chanted after Argentina’s Copa America victory, has received criticism for lyrics described as racist and transphobic.
Chelsea investigating Enzo Fernandez video as team-mate Wesley Fofana blasts ‘racist’ chant
The chant begins: “On passport, French nationality, listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all…”, before someone is heard saying “cut the video”. It is unclear whether the players continued singing the chant.
The full lyrics to the song are: “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.”
Fernandez issued a statement apologising for his behaviour before the club’s comments.
“I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,” Fernandez said in his statement. “The song includes 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. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
The midfielder’s club team-mate Wesley Fofana had earlier blasted the video, sharing it with the caption: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.” Fofana, as well as fellow French Chelsea players Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi, appear to have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
The French Football Federation earlier issued a statement of their own on the matter. “The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which were made against the players of the French team in the context of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team after its victory in the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media,” the statement began.“
Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”
A number of Chelsea supporters have responded on social media following the club’s statement. “Hope this internal procedure is principled and robust,” wrote one.
“Heart is heavy with all this,” wrote another.”Hope Enzo is truly apologetic and that the French boys can forgive him.”
Chelsea’s squad members have returned to pre-season training ahead of a tour of the United States. Their first pre-season game will take place on July 2024 against Wrexham, with four further fixtures to follow before a friendly back at home against Inter Milan on August 11.
Fernandez has yet to return to club duty after his international responsibilities with Argentina. A number of Blues players involved in the latter stages of the Copa America and European Championships have been given additional time off before returning to club action.
