- Chelsea midfielder escapes FA punishment for racist chant
- Enzo Fernández was previously filmed singing the Argentina chant to the team’s coach.
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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will escape punishment from the Football Association for his role in a discriminatory social media video that included derogatory comments about members of the France national team.
FIFA and Chelsea have launched an investigation after a video on social media following Argentina’s Copa America victory appeared to show Fernandez and his teammates singing a racist song about the French team as they celebrated in July.
At the time, there were suggestions that the FA would also investigate Fernandez’s role in the video, given that he is classed as a “participant” in English football.
But the FA is not investigating the matter because the video was recorded while Fernandez was on tour with his national team, meaning it is a matter for FIFA and CONEMBOL.
The Chelsea star has been at the centre of a racist storm since he filmed Argentina’s celebrations on the team bus after the victory.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will escape punishment from the Football Association for his role in a discriminatory social media video
Fernandez previously filmed a video of the Argentine team singing a racist chant about France after their Copa America success.
His actions and those of the Argentine team sparked furious criticism after his Instagram live video showed the team singing a discriminatory song targeting France’s black footballers and their heritage.
Some of Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mates were furious with the midfielder as Blues defender Wesley Fofana described the sickening scenes as “uninhibited racism”, while others unfollowed the Argentine on social media in response.
The Frenchman later made up with Fernandez, insisting the midfielder is not racist and simply “needs education”.
The issue of discrimination is, however, a matter that FIFA and CONEMBOL must address.
Fernandez later apologized for his actions and the “highly offensive” nature of the chant that was first made popular by a group of fans at the 2022 Qatar World Cup ahead of the tournament’s final against France.
Argentina then lifted the title as Lionel Messi ended their wait for a World Cup crown, with Fernandez also part of the winning team while playing for Benfica at the time.
The vile chant has since been adopted by more Argentine crowds and evidently by his players, with some of Fernandez’s national colleagues coming out in support.
The 23-year-old has since reintegrated into the Chelsea squad and has started the Blues’ last three games in all competitions.