Football fans around the world are at loggerheads about what should happen to Chelsea and Argentina midfielder, Enzo Fernandez.
This is after a video of him chanting a derogatory song about the France team was circulated on social media.
He was with some of his Argentina team mates during the controversial moment which occurred after they beat Colombia in the Copa America final on Sunday.
The controversy has caused a stir on social media platforms, with some even calling on Chelsea to let him go from the team.
Some of his teammates have also condemned his actions.
They include Wesley Fofana, who reposted the video on X, with the words: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”
Other reports on the other hand suggest that all of Chelsea’s French players – Fofana, Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr have unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
Le football en 2024 : racisme décomplexé 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/MGkH5wPmNU
— Wesley Fofana (@Wesley_Fofana3) July 16, 2024
Even David Datro Fofana weighed in on the issue at hand.
However, one of Fernandez’s fellow players, Nicolas Jackson, has come out in his support, posting a picture of them together on X and Instagram.
🤜🏿❤️ 🤛🏻 pic.twitter.com/0c8kV6qy7s
— Nicolas Jackson (@NicolasJackson_) July 17, 2024
Chelsea have released a statement, saying they have launched an internal disciplinary process in response to the furore.
The French Football Federation says it plans to file a complaint with FIFA over the chants.
The federation believes the chants were racially offensive and discriminatory.
The midfielder has since apologised on Instagram for posting the video.
The controversial chants were reportedly previously sung by some supporters following Argentina’s victory over France in the World Cup final in 2022.
@premierleague if there is truly no place for racism, there should be no place for Enzo Fernández in the English Premier League. If he is allowed to kick a ball, you might as well stop asking players to take the knee and redirect the ad budget for anti racism.
— Lord Telema Westwood (@capnwestwood) July 17, 2024
@premierleague the racist Enzo deserves 3 months ban! There’s no place for racism in the English premier league
— Wazza (@Wazzlion) July 17, 2024
That wasn’t the only picture he posted though.
Fofana was in his feelings and of course trust the English media to blow this out of proportion.
Enzo has apologized publicly and to his teammates.
Chelsea have issued a statement.
Let’s all move On.— OBI (@Mixta_OBINO) July 17, 2024
Looks like the Spanish speaking guys … Cucu, Caicedo, Nico, Sanchez, Kepa etc will stick with Enzo. The English core will be divided between the Spanish and the French. There’s hardly harmony there lol
— His Excellency (@eemz_em) July 17, 2024
If you don’t see racist in it ,then you yourself is racist, why was Enzo questioning french guys Nationality, yet they were born in France, so they are french by birthday… The former Prime minister of United Kingdom is half Asian n English man can you question his identity???
— Kabaka iii 🦁🇸🇸 (@Franklinesaint) July 17, 2024
The disharmony in this squad a few weeks into the season is already a disaster. You’ve got Enzo posting ridiculously stupid and offensive videos, the French contingent turning on him. Jackson now backing Enzo. What an absolute mess our club continues to be. It’s tiring.
— Michael English (@mikeenglishcfc) July 17, 2024
Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris
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