Soccer star Enzo Fernández has issued a mea culpa for singing racist and homophobic chants along with his Argentinian teammates following their Copa América win over the weekend … writing in a press release “there is absolutely no excuse” for the conduct.
The midfielder, who performs for Chelsea when he is not logging minutes on Argentina’s nationwide group, filmed himself and others on a bus crooning crass phrases about France after beating Colombia, 1-0, in Miami on Sunday.
Right here is Enzo Fernandez and Argentina gamers celebrating that Copa America win by singing that racist France chant from the 2022 World Cup pic.twitter.com/pxoaX2MApE
— GC (@ValverdeSZN) July 15, 2024
@ValverdeSZN
Within the footage, which Fernández posted on his Instagram web page, you’ll be able to see the footballer and a number of other others with massive grins on their faces as they belted out hateful phrases.
The clip, after all, was instantly met with backlash … and on Tuesday evening, Fernández mentioned he was sorry for his actions.
“I want to sincerely apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,” he mentioned. “The song contains highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.”
The chants have been popularized again in 2022 — when some Argentinian followers directed them towards the French following the 2 sides’ conflict within the World Cup closing.
France defender Wesley Fofana, who really performs with Fernández on Chelsea, blasted him for the vid … calling it “uninhibited racism.” Certainly one of Fernández’s different teammates, France ahead Christopher Nkunku, additionally chided Fernandez and the Argentinians for the celebration.
For Chelsea’s half, it wrote in a press release Wednesday morning it condemns Fernandez’s conduct … and has launched “an internal disciplinary procedure.”
The French Soccer Federation, in the meantime, introduced Tuesday it is going to be submitting a authorized grievance as effectively.
