The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday that they will be filing a complaint with FIFA regarding what they described as “racist and discriminatory remarks” made by Argentina players in post-match chants following their Copa América victory. The video in question was posted on Instagram by Enzo Fernández, an Argentina midfielder who also plays for Chelsea. The video showed Argentina players singing chants about French players with African heritage.
One of Fernández’s Chelsea teammates, France defender Wesley Fofana, shared the video on his social media accounts and condemned it as “uninhibited racism.” The FFF President expressed deep concern over the remarks, stating that they go against the values of sport and human rights. As a result, the FFF has decided to contact the Argentinian Football Federation and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint.
In response to the backlash, Enzo Fernández issued an apology on his Instagram story, admitting that the song sung by him and his teammates contained “highly offensive language.” He emphasized that there is no excuse for such words and that he stands against discrimination in all its forms. Fernández expressed regret for his actions, stating that the video and the chants do not reflect his true beliefs or character.
Wesley Fofana, who has ties to the Ivory Coast, is one of several Black players on the Chelsea squad. The derogatory chants made by some Argentina fans have resurfaced before, notably prior to the World Cup final between France and Argentina two years ago, which Argentina won. These chants specifically target France players of African descent who hold French passports.
The President of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, strongly condemned the racist and discriminatory remarks made against the French players in the song sung by Argentina players and supporters. Diallo, who is also a member of UEFA’s executive committee, is known for his active involvement in football politics. FIFA has yet to confirm whether the French complaint has been officially filed.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stressed the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to racism within soccer and its national federations. In line with this, FIFA has committed to relaunching a task force to monitor and address incidents of racism in the sport. The Associated Press provided additional information for this report.
The incident involving Enzo Fernández and the Argentina team highlights the ongoing issue of racism and discrimination in football. It serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect within the sport. The actions taken by the FFF and FIFA demonstrate the commitment to addressing such behavior and ensuring that football remains a welcoming and inclusive environment for all players and fans.