English Premier League Club, Chelsea has initiated disciplinary proceedings against midfielder, Enzo Fernandez following a video he posted on social media.
The FFF announced on Tuesday that it would file a complaint with FIFA over the video, which featured some Argentina squad members singing about France’s Black players. Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, shared the video on Instagram, condemning it as “uninhibited racism.”
Fernandez, a £107m British record signing in February 2023, expressed regret for posting the video during Argentina’s Copa America celebrations. “I am truly sorry for the video I posted,” Fernandez said. “The song includes highly offensive language, and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.”
FIFA is also investigating the video, which features several Argentina squad members singing a song initially popularized by Argentina fans that questions the heritage of France’s Black and mixed-race players.
Chelsea, with seven Black or mixed-race French players in their first-team squad, including Fofana, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, and Malang Sarr, responded with a statement: “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 FFF, led by President Philippe Diallo, strongly condemned the remarks. “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 appeal to his Argentine counterpart and FIFA to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks,” the FFF stated.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed they are “aware of a video circulating on social media” and are looking into the incident, emphasizing that “FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans, and officials.”
Chelsea reaffirmed their commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating, “We find all forms of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities, and identities feel welcome.”
Fernandez’s teammate, David Datro Fofana, called for collective action against racism. “The football that I like is multi-ethnic,” the Ivorian forward posted on Instagram. “Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These acts have no place in football or even anywhere else. This fight really needs to be taken seriously by everyone in this sport.”
