Enzo Fernandez has apologised to his Chelsea team-mates for the video showing him and members of the Argentina squad singing a song that included racist and homophobic slurs about France players.
Chelsea’s French defender Wesley Fofana reacted to the video with a message on social media that said: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”
Other than issuing a public apology for his part in the video, Telegraph Sport understands that Fernandez apologised on a message that was circulated around the entire Chelsea squad.
Chelsea have confirmed that the club has started an internal disciplinary procedure over the matter that is likely to see Fernandez fined.
Before issuing their statement, Chelsea had to verify that the video was real and speak with Fernandez, following the increase in AI-generated content being posted on social media.
Chelsea said: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Fernandez’s public and private apologies are enough to pacify his upset Chelsea team-mates, including Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi, who were among those who unfollowed him on social media.
Fernandez is not due to meet up with the Chelsea squad again until the end of the month at the earliest and the matter will present an early test of new head coach Enzo Maresca’s management.
The French Football Federation said it would take legal action against Argentina as a result of Fernandez’s video, in which members of the national team appear to be singing a “racist and discriminatory” chant.
Fifa also reacted to the video by saying: “Fifa is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into. Fifa strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.”
Fernandez’s public apology was made on Instagram and said:
Enzo Fernandez’s Instagram apology CREDIT: @enzojfernandez/Instagram
Recordings of the video feature members of the team appearing to begin singing a chant that includes racist and homophobic slurs, including against France captain Kylian Mbappé.
The chant dates back at least to the World Cup final in which Argentina beat Mbappé‘s country on penalties.
The words falsely stereotype France squad members as being “all from Angola” or having a “Nigerian” mother and “Cameroonian” father, as well as making crude insults and wild accusations about Mbappé’s sexuality.
Clips posted of the video show players at least singing the Angola part of the song before the recording was cut off. One member of France’s World Cup squad, Eduardo Camavinga, was born in Angola.
One Chelsea player, Nico Jackson, appeared to offer some support to Fernandez as he posted a picture of himself with the midfielder and Marc Cucurella on social media following the apology.