Chelsea have issued a statement in response to the controversial video posted by their midfielder Enzo Fernandez, denouncing “all forms” of discriminatory behaviour.
The Chelsea player was later accused of “uninhibited racism” by his French international teammate Wesley Fofana, who reposted the video.
Several other Blues players unfollowed Fernandez on social media before Chelsea issued a statement on Wednesday morning.
“Chelsea Football Club considers any form of discriminatory behaviour to be absolutely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,” the club’s statement began.
‘We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
Enzo Fernández filmed a video of the Argentine national team singing a racist chant about France
Wesley Fofana reposted the video via X along with the words: ‘Football in 2024: Uninhibited racism’
Chelsea confirmed in a statement that it has initiated internal disciplinary proceedings
‘The Club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure.’
The song was played in the wake of La Albiceleste’s second consecutive Copa America title on Sunday, with several members of the team chanting and singing on a team bus in celebration.
Chelsea have a number of French players in their squad, including Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
Fofana, Disasi and Gusto unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Mail Sport previously reported that sources close to the players have revealed that Chelsea’s French contingent is furious with Fernandez.
Fernandez himself belatedly posted an apology on Tuesday night, which read: ‘I want to apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.
‘The song contains extremely offensive language and there is no excuse for such words. I oppose discrimination in all its forms and I apologise for having been carried away by the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that moment, those words do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am so sorry.”
Fernandez apologized in a statement on Tuesday night, saying he was “caught up in the euphoria” of winning the Copa America.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, who also plays for France, has expressed his disgust at the video. He is one of three Blues players who have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Bad Taste (right) also unfollowed Fernandez (left) on Instagram
Axel Disasi (left) is the other Chelsea player who unfollowed Fernandez after he filmed the Argentina chant.
Video footage of Fernández shows the team apparently singing at least the Angola portion of the song while he smiles, although he finishes it before getting to the part involving Kylian Mbappé.
Only one player in France’s 2022 World Cup squad, Eduardo Camavinga, was born in Angola.
Chelsea star Fernandez had been filming before the Argentina players began singing this particular song, but ended the Instagram Live stream seconds after the racist chant began.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo called the images “racist and discriminatory” and vowed to take legal action by filing a complaint with FIFA.
“Given the seriousness of these shocking statements, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and file a legal complaint for insulting comments of a racial and discriminatory nature,” the FFF added.
The song first emerged around the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties in Qatar.
The game was already rife with rancour, with Mbappe being heavily jeered by Emiliano Martinez after the match, despite the French striker scoring a hat-trick and a penalty in the shoot-out.
Chelsea star Fernandez had been filming before the Argentina players began singing this particular song, but ended the Instagram Live stream seconds after the racist chant began.
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo said the images were “racist and discriminatory” and vowed to take legal action.
Fernandez has taken to social media to apologise for his actions following Argentina’s victory.
The song originated in public when Argentine fans chanted it on television during the 2022 World Cup.
Chelsea sources say they are taking the matter seriously and will proceed accordingly.
This comes just months after former Chelsea player Jimmy Aggrey spoke out about the racist abuse he suffered at the hands of two coaches as a teenager.
Aggrey was one of four former players to take civil action against Chelsea over their treatment by Gwyn Williams, who was given a secret life ban by the FA, and Graham Rix, who was sent to prison for child sex offences. Each former player was awarded a six-figure sum.
