Enzo Fernandez has taken to social media to apologise after he was accused of 'uninhibited racism' by team-mate Wesley Fofana over a video he posted of the Argentina squad celebrating their Copa America triumph.
Fernandez released a statement on social media stating he 'stands against discrimination in all forms' and that he apologises for 'getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations'.
The statement came after a controversial video appeared to show the Argentina players singing about how French players are 'from Angola' or have a 'Nigerian' mother and a 'Cameroonian' father.
Fofana, who is French and the son of an Ivorian father, was less than impressed with the video and took to X to share the footage with the caption: 'Football in 2024: uninhibited racism'.
Sources close to the players have told Mail Sport that Chelsea's French contingent - which consists of Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile - are furious with Fernandez.
Fernandez took to social media to apologise for his actions, writing: 'I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.'
He went on to add: 'The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
'I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise 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.
'I am truly sorry.'
The song dates back to the 2022 World Cup final in which Argentina defeated France on penalties and the players were filmed singing it after their victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on Sunday night.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo branded the footage 'racist and discriminatory' and vowed to take legal action with a complaint to FIFA.
'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 challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature,' added the FFF.
Chelsea are conducting their own probe after the man they spent a British-record Β£107million on in January 2023 found himself at the centre of a storm. Sources at Chelsea say they are taking the matter seriously and will proceed accordingly.
While Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
It comes just months after former Chelsea player Jimmy Aggrey spoke out about the racist abuse he endured at the hands of two coaches as a teenager.
Aggrey was one of four former players who launched civil action against Chelsea over their treatment at the hands of Gwyn Williams, who was reportedly handed a secret lifetime ban by the FA, and Graham Rix, who was sent to prison for under-age sex offences. Each former player received a six-figure sum.
M-CHIKA360
462
I don't know how you guys see this whole thing. I feel this is completely wrong by the entire team and for Enzo to even allow himself to project this further is atrocious. why target France team when the tournament you played in is a Copa America and France didn't even participate in the tournament. He (Enzo) needs to show more remorse and the Argentinian team or federation needs to show that they are responsible by putting out words against what they've done. I just sincerely hope that this rodent called racism don't eventually kill the beautiful game we all cherish.
beuekopuz
362
Why all these fuse about what he said. Is it not true that majority of the French players have African roots. Why are the French black players feeling offended. Are they ashamed of being linked to Africa. Why will I be offended if somebody tells me my father is Yoruba and my mother is Hausa. The black man mentality is terrible. Aferall they all bear African names. Let them go and change it
obi1010
286
Well!! Truth is bitter,I honestly recognize 3-4 prayers from French the rest is Africa, nothing you gonna tell me,we Africans should do better yoo,take a look at Eze eberechi playing for England with that name on his jersey disgust me ,why won't him change everything if he's so ashamed of being Nigerian
they should accept the fact and move on, they're all our brothers πππ how can someone be ashamed of his color ππ, nevertheless mbappe was the cause of all this shit!!when he was talking down Copa America nobody stop him, taking dig at Argentina by comparing world cup and euro
PeepsClips
198
Why all these fuse about what he said. Is it not true that majority of the French players have African roots. Why are the French black players feeling offended. Are they ashamed of being linked to Africa. Why will I be offended if somebody tells me my father is Yoruba and my mother is Hausa. The black man mentality is terrible. Aferall they all bear African names. Let them go and change it
there is a code that allows blacks to call themselves niggas, while no non-black can do that. go amd learn what means... and shut the fuck up about something that is bigger than you.
Siyaciprsy
180
By all indication the song is good for our African brothers that forsake their mother land for riches. Let the truth be told. And that's far from racism, they song was discriminating against them because of their black skin, but refering them to their root. French players have Nigerian, Cameroon fathers etc. Is that not the obvious truth???.