Fernandez faces disciplinary action over alleged racist chant

Chelsea have begun disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he posted a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant. On Tuesday the FFF said it would file a complaint to the world governing body Fifa over the video featuring a song sung by some […]

Chelsea have begun disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he posted a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant.

On Tuesday the FFF said it would file a complaint to the world governing body Fifa over the video featuring a song sung by some of the Argentina squad about France’s black players.

Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, describing it as “uninhibited racism”.

Fernandez – a £107m British record signing in February 2023 – said he is “truly sorry” for the video he posted as Argentina celebrated winning the Copa America.

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Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.

Chelsea have seven France players who are black or mixed race in their first-team squad – Fofana, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Malang Sarr.

“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moments, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character,” said Fernandez.