Enzo Fernandez has officially joined up with the Chelsea squad in America just a couple of weeks after racism concerns were levelled against the Argentine midfielder.
Fernandez Joins up With Blues Teammates in America
What Caused The Racism Claims?
On July 18, three days after Argentina’s Copa America 1-0 final victory over Colombia, a video surfaced from Fernandez’s Instagram live which contained members of La Albiceleste singing a song directed at the French national team regarding their players’ heritage.
When translated, the song holds serious connotations of racism, with the French Football Federation calling the chant “discriminatory” as they went on to file legal action over the incident.
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Chelsea’s French defender Wesley Fofana branded the song as “uninhibited racism” as he and several other French players at the club swiftly unfollowed 23-year-old Fernandez on Instagram.
Chelsea themselves released a statement following the fallout which read: “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.” (quotes via GOAL).
The Apology and Aftermath
Fernandez then wrote an apology detailing his remorse over his actions, and now following a lengthy club investigation, a decision has been made regarding his reintegration to the Chelsea squad, who are currently preparing for their match against Mexican side Club America on Thursday morning at 01:00 BST – the third match of the Blues’ US preseason tour.
Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport reported this morning that the Argentine has officially apologised in person to his teammates, with Blues captain Reece James and Axel Disasi two leading figures at the heart of the reparations, as the affected players are said to have accepted the South American’s regret.
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It’s also understood that Fernandez will donate a sum of money to an anti-discrimination charity, with Chelsea set to match said sum themselves.
While the tension at club level is said to have settled, Kinsella additionally reports that a FIFA investigation is still ongoing around the situation, with a potential match ban still not out of the question for the Copa America winner.
