ENZO Fernandez has broken his silence after being slammed by team-mate Wesley Fofana for “uninhibited racism”.
Chelsea launched a probe after Fernandez posted a video on Instagram of himself and his Argentina team-mates chanting a sick discriminatory song.
But the Argentina midfielder has now taken to the same social media platform to issue an apology.
He wrote: “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.
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“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
The World Cup winners beat Colombia 1-0 in Miami on Sunday to lift their second successive Copa America trophy.
And footage emerged showing celebrating Argentina players singing a racist song on their team bus about the France team following their victory at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The vile chant dates back to the 2022 World Cup when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties.
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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.
In the latest video, Chelsea star Fernandez and team-mates could clearly be heard singing the part about Angola.
Fofana, 23, who is French and the son of an Ivorian father, took to X to express his frustration with the viral clip as he wrote: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”.
French FA chiefs are threatening legal action against Argentina over the incident.
The FFF condemned the chant and added: “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 to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”
Chelsea themselves are yet to release a statement.
Fernandez filmed the footage on his phone via Instagram live with the midfielder showing celebrations on the team bus.
But seconds after the vile chant began he switched the recording off.
Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.
Wesley Fofana
Chelsea have a number of French players, such as Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Several have reportedly unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
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The Argentina squad contains multiple players from the Premier League, including Lisandro Martinez and Alejando Garnacho of Manchester United, Man City’s Julian Alvarez, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso and Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez.
It’s unclear if any of them were involved in the chanting.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
