Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says there will not be “any kind of problem” when Enzo Fernandez joins their pre-season tour amid ongoing disciplinary proceedings into alleged racism.
Fernandez and a few of his Argentina team-mates chanted a derogatory tune which mocks the heritage of the France group in an Instagram dwell video revealed on his account after they beat Colombia within the Copa America last earlier this month.
Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate, reposted the video on X with the phrases “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”.
Fernandez apologised on Instagram for posting the video and any offence its content material could have brought on, earlier than Chelsea and FIFA opened investigations into the incident.
The midfielder is about to hitch Chelsea’s pre-season tour of america on Monday – and boss Maresca doesn’t assume there might be a problem together with his return.
“I think it’s quite easy in terms of the player gave a statement, apologised and the club did the same so I don’t think there is something to add in terms of this situation. It’s already clear and clarified,” stated Maresca forward of his first sport in cost towards Wrexham which takes place within the early hours of Thursday morning.
“In the end, they are all human beings. I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any one of them. I don’t think that when Enzo is back we will have any kind of problem. The player already clarified the situation. The club did the same so there is nothing to add.
“And, as soon as once more, they aren’t unhealthy individuals or unhealthy human beings. It will possibly occur. I do not assume there may be any downside in any respect. I spoke with all of them, however the participant already did an announcement, apologised, so it is fairly clear.”
Chelsea captain Reece James additionally hopes the membership and his team-mates can transfer ahead from the incident.
He stated: “It was obviously a really difficult situation. Enzo has acknowledged he has done wrong. He put his hand up and apologised to the club, the team and the people offended.
“He hasn’t arrived but so I do not assume there’s something to amend. I will should make that judgement when he comes again in. I hope everybody might be on the identical web page and we will transfer ahead from the state of affairs.”
Sky Sports News reported FIFA had begun an investigation into the incident and looked to speak to Fernandez.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA strongly condemns any type of discrimination by anybody together with gamers, followers and officers.”
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Burnley, reacted by posting on social media: “The soccer that I like is multi-ethnic.
“Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These acts have no place in football or even anywhere else.
“This struggle actually must be taken significantly by everybody concerned on this sport.”
Fernandez: I am truly sorry
The statements from Chelsea and FIFA came after Fernandez said he was “actually sorry” for the video.
“The tune contains extremely offensive language and there may be completely no excuse for these phrases,” the 23-year-old said.
“I stand towards discrimination in all varieties and apologise for getting caught up within the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.
“I’m actually sorry.”
French Football Federation to file legal complaint
The French Football Federation said it would file a legal complaint alleging “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks” were made by Argentina players.
In a statement, the FFF – the governing body of French football – said its president Philippe Diallo would challenge FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Football Association boss Claudio Fabian Tapia to respond to the alleged remarks.
The statement read: “The president of the French Soccer Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns within the strongest phrases the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which have been made towards the gamers of the French group within the context of a tune sung by gamers and supporters of the Argentina group after its victory within the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media.
“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 Argentinian counterpart and FIFA, and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature.”
Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out within the 2022 World Cup last, a match round which some followers of the Argentina group have been heard singing discriminatory songs.
