FIFA announced on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into racist chants by Argentina players following their Copa America win. The decision comes after a video surfaced on social media showing discriminatory behavior from the team.
“FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into,” a spokesperson for the global football governing body stated. “FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans, and officials.”
The chants, containing racist and homophobic insults, were recorded during a live video posted by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez on the team bus after their victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday. The song, which targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others, dates back to the 2022 World Cup final when Argentina defeated France.
Chelsea quickly responded by launching an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez, who has since issued a public apology. “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable,” the club stated. “We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.”
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a Premier League record fee of £105 million in 2023, expressed regret for his actions. “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,” he said.
Javier Mascherano, coach of Argentina’s Olympic football team, defended Fernandez, suggesting the video was taken out of context. “Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” Mascherano stated. “I know Enzo, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t have any problems like that.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint with FIFA regarding the chants. FFF president Philippe Diallo condemned the remarks, describing them as “unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team.”
This incident follows previous encounters between France and Argentina, including Argentina’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final and France’s win against Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.
