ENZO FERNANDEZ has been pictured with his Chelsea team-mates for the first time as the club try to draw a line under his race row.
Fernandez apologised for streaming a video of himself and his Argentina team-mates singing a racist and homophobic chant about France’s black players.
He was condemned by Blues colleague Wesley Fofana for the the “uninhibited racism” – with the video angering a number of the Chelsea squad.
But Fernandez made public and private apologies as he linked up with the Chelsea side for their pre-season tour of America.
The club-record signing has also been snapped with the squad as new Blues boss Enzo Maresca looks to unite his squad.
Fernandez this week had lunch with his team-mates for the first time after offering a face-to-face apology at their St. Regis hotel.
READ MORE ON CHELSEA
That was in addition to his public statement and private messages.
Fernandez will also make a donation to an anti-discrimination charity which Chelsea will match.
Captain Reece James and five-cap France international Axel Disasi held talks with Fernandez to try and smooth things over.
And defender Levi Colwill said: “We’re a team. We moved forward together and that is what we are going to do.
Most read in Football
Chelsea’s pre-season tour
Here is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:
RESULTS
- Chelsea 2 Wrexham 2 – July 24
- Chelsea 1 Celtic 4 – July 27
FIXTURES
- Chelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- Chelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
- Chelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Gotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
- Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DC
“Everything that has happened stays between us. I am really excited to get to work and that we have a really good season.
“We all know Enzo is a good person and works well for the team.”
Yet Fifa chiefs are still investigating the video of the racist chant — which could eventually lead to an FA ban — as well as considering a legal complaint from the French Football Association.
Chelsea’s pre-season started with a 2-2 draw with Wrexham and 4-1 loss to Celtic.
They play Club America at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta next and do so having welcomed new £20.7m keeper Filip Jorgensen.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
