First Chelsea player responds to Enzo Fernandez posting video of Argentina players singing ‘r@cist chant
The video has resurfaced at Cobham, and the sentiments expressed are unmistakable.
A Chelsea player has responded to a video of Enzo Fernandez featuring his Argentine teammates chanting a racist song aimed at the French national team. The discriminatory chant goes: “Their parents are from Angola, although they play for France. Their father is from Nigeria; their mother is from Cameroon. But their passport indicates French.” This footage was captured on a team bus, with several Argentina players seen shouting the chant. The incident appears to occur towards the end of an Instagram live session before Fernandez was told to stop recording.
In response, the French Football Federation lodged a legal complaint and released a statement condemning the song. Wesley Fofana, a French player for Chelsea, has publicly criticized his teammate on social media. He shared a video of Fernandez chanting, accompanied by three facepalming emojis and the caption, “Football in 2024: unbridled bigotry.” Additionally, Fofana, along with his French-speaking Chelsea colleagues Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto, have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Chelsea has several French players, including Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, and Malang Sarr. The situation poses a significant challenge for new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who is preparing for the 2024/25 season. Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 for £106.8 million and has made 63 appearances since his move to England.
Fofana, originally signed from Leicester City for an initial £70 million, suffered a severe ACL injury, ruling him out of the 2023/24 season. To date, he has only participated in 20 games for the club across all competitions.
