Fernando Romero Nuñez The French Football Federation (FFF by its French acronym) announced it will sue its Argentine counterpart after videos of Argentine players singing racist chants went viral.
“FFF President Philippe Diallo energetically condemns the unacceptable racist expressions used against the French national team players by Argentine players,” read the statement. The communiqué goes on to confirm the FFF will file a lawsuit against the Argentine Football Federation (AFA).
The video was part of a live stream Enzo Fernández did of the bus celebration following Argentina’s win at the 2024 Cop América in Miami. The song, which went viral during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, mocks the French players on account of their African heritage.
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra commented on the incident, labeling the chants as “pathetic” and calling for a reaction from FIFA.
“This behavior is all the more unacceptable if it is repeated,” she wrote on X.
French players Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, and Axel Disasi, who play with Fernández at English Premier League club Chelsea, unfollowed him on Instagram. “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism,” wrote Fofana on his X account.
Fernández later issued an apology on his Instagram account. “The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations,” he wrote.
English Premier League’s Chelsea FC, where the midfielder plays, released a statement where it confirmed an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernández has been launched. “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable,” said the communiqué, adding that they “appreciated” the player’s public apology and will use this as an “opportunity to educate.”
World football’s governing body also commented. “FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media, and the incident is being looked into,” a spokesperson for world football’s governing body said, adding they “strongly condemn any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.”
The fight against racism in football has taken a step up in recent years. In 2023, Brazilian star Vinícius Oliveira Júnior won the humanitarian Sócrates Award partly for his fight against racism.
