Enzo Fernandez, an Argentina player for Chelsea, expresses deep regret for sharing a video deemed racially offensive following their victory in the Copa America.

Argentina fans across Buenos Aires are in a state of jubilation following their victory in the Copa America final. The celebrations, however, have been overshadowed by a controversial video posted by Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez.

The video, which was live-streamed on social media, shows Fernandez and his teammates on their team bus engaging in what has been described as “uninhibited racism”. In the video, Fernandez and his teammates can be heard singing a racially offensive and discriminatory chant, directed towards France captain Kylian Mbappe.

The chant is said to have originated from the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina defeated France on penalties. The video has caused outrage, with Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana sharing it on his own social media, condemning the incident as “uninhibited racism”.

Fofana, along with other Chelsea players such as Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto, have reportedly unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram in response to the video. Chelsea has launched an investigation into the matter, while the French Football Federation (FFF) has announced its intention to take legal action against Argentina.

The FFF released a statement expressing its condemnation of the discriminatory remarks made against the French team. President Philippe Diallo has decided to directly appeal to his Argentine counterpart and FIFA, and has filed a legal complaint regarding the offensive and discriminatory nature of the video.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Fernandez issued an apology on Instagram, expressing his remorse for posting the video. He acknowledged the offensive language used in the chant and stated that it does not reflect his beliefs or character. Chelsea has responded by initiating an internal disciplinary procedure to address Fernandez’s actions.

The incident has become a major challenge for new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who recently took charge of the team. Chelsea Football Club has released a statement condemning all forms of discriminatory behavior and emphasizing their commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

As Argentina fans continue to celebrate their Copa America victory, the fallout from Fernandez’s video serves as a reminder of the importance of combating racism and discrimination in the world of sports.