Amid growing controversy, Lionel Messi has remained silent as Enzo Fernández faces backlash over a video that has sparked calls for sanctions against the Argentinian players involved.
Leo Messi goes dark after Argentinian players caught on camera singing racist chants
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The football world was shaken when a video surfaced showing members of the Argentinian squad, including Enzo Fernández, singing a chant with racist and discriminatory lyrics aimed at French players.
This incident occurred during Argentina’s celebrations after their Copa America victory over Colombia.
While the video spread rapidly across social media, Messi, the team captain, has yet to comment on the matter.
The French Football Federation (FFF) quickly condemned the video and announced plans to file a complaint with FIFA.
FFF president Philippe Diallo stated:
“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 and to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”
Chelsea, the club where Fernández currently plays, has also launched an investigation into the incident.
The situation intensified when Fernández’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who represents France, described the video as “uninhibited racism” on Instagram.
Enzo Fernández issues apology
Enzo Fernández responded to the backlash with a public apology, expressing regret for his involvement in the incident.
“I am truly sorry for the video I posted as Argentina celebrated winning the Copa America,” Fernández stated.
He acknowledged the offensive nature of the song, saying:
“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.”
Fernández continued:
“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologize 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.”
Despite the apology, calls for disciplinary action against Fernández and other players involved have grown louder, with many demanding accountability and stricter measures to combat racism in football.
What are the Argentina racist chant lyrics?
The lyrics of the chant, which targeted French players, have been widely criticised for their racist and discriminatory content.
The song included derogatory remarks about French players’ origins and used offensive language to describe Kylian Mbappe and other players of African descent.
The specific lines of the chant were aimed at undermining the players’ French nationality by highlighting their African heritage in a derogatory manner.
For instance, the lyrics included a reference to Mbappe’s parents, stating:
“His mom is Nigerian, His dad is Cameroonian, But in the documents, Nationality Français.”
This part of the chant, along with other offensive lines, has been condemned for promoting racism and xenophobia.