On Tuesday, a video emerged on social media showing Argentina’s players celebrating their 2024 Copa America win. In the footage, they sang various songs, including one aimed at the multicultural backgrounds of the French national team players.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez shared the celebration with his over 11 million Instagram followers, participating in the singing. The French Football Federation (FFF) labeled the song as “unacceptable” and “racist,” and has threatened legal action against the Argentine players for “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, Chelsea announced the initiation of “an internal disciplinary procedure” concerning the matter, emphasizing that “all forms of discriminatory behavior are completely unacceptable.”
Reports indicate that several Chelsea players, especially those who are Black or of mixed race, are angry about the video and Fernandez’s role in broadcasting it. French Chelsea player Wesley Fofana, who has Ivorian heritage, condemned the video on his X page.
Fernandez has since issued an apology for his involvement in singing and sharing the song, admitting that it “includes highly offensive language” and explaining that he was “caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.”