ENZO FERNANDEZ could be banned for 12 matches over his racist chant aimed at the France team.
The midfielder is being investigated by Chelsea over the incident.
But Fifa and Conmebol are also looking into the video, which contains a chant that dates back to the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties.
Appearing on live TV, some fans from the South American country sang that France’s players were “all from Angola.”
And they also targeted Kylian Mbappe with a transphobic chant amid reports surrounding his dating life.
Fernandez filmed himself and his Argentina team-mates singing the chant in the changing room after their Copa America final victory over Colombia.
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Fernandez, 23, has apologised for any offence he caused in a statement which read: “That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.”
However he now risks being banned for 12 games according to sports lawyer Udo Onwere.
Onwere believes Fifa will delegate responsibility for sanctioning Fernandez to the FA, who have strict guidelines regarding punishing discriminatory behaviour.
They read: “Match-based sanctions of six to twelve games will be recommended to Regulatory Commissions for almost all acts of discrimination by individual participants.”
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Enzo Fernandez statement in full
Fernandez took to Instagram to issue an apology after being slammed by his Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana.
A statement read: “I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.
“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 FA will consider several factors when determining Fernandez’s punishment according to Onwere, including the public nature of the video being posted online.
He told The I: “I guess the FA may look and see how this has been handled by Chelsea before they decide what sort of stance that they will take.
“If it was an England player, for example, then the FA would be able to get involved. If this had been a tweet, the FA definitely would have got involved and he would have been banned for six/seven games minimum.
“Then they look at all the aggravating factors, such as whether the language discrimination, language was repeatedly used, the public nature of the offence, or the profile of the participant, which is going to be a higher profile.”
Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana slammed his behaviour, branding it “uninhibited racism”.
Chelsea also condemned Fernandez’s chant in a statement which read: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable.
“We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
“The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
