Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has revealed that a controversial video he posted on social media, which was widely criticised as “racist and discriminatory,” ultimately brought him closer to his team-mates.
The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a British record fee of £106.8m in January 2023, filmed himself and his Argentina teammates singing offensive songs following their Copa America triumph last year. The footage drew criticism from his Chelsea colleague Wesley Fofana, who described it as “uninhibited racism.”
Apologies and Team Reconciliation
Following the backlash, Fernandez personally apologised to his teammates during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States and also issued a written statement expressing that he was “truly sorry.”
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Fernandez reflected on the experience, saying:
“What happened [being accused of singing a racist song] is not typical of who I am. I tried to apologise to the squad to show my team-mates that I’m not the type to discriminate or judge others. They understood my message and that’s where it all ended.”
He added that the episode strengthened his bond with the squad:
“Yes, absolutely. It was a tough time, but my team-mates understood me. It was a euphoric moment in which I didn’t want to hurt anyone. It was just a song that we sing in Argentina as part of ‘football folklore.’”
Wider Reactions and Governing Body Response
The French Football Federation (FFF) lodged a complaint with FIFA, labelling the content as “racist and discriminatory” due to its targeting of players’ ethnicity. However, no penalties were imposed by the Premier League, Football Association, or UEFA, as the incident fell under the jurisdiction of South America’s governing body, Conmebol.
Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out raised concerns with FIFA in January, highlighting the lack of action against Fernandez. Despite the controversy, Chelsea promoted Fernandez to vice-captain under manager Enzo Maresca in the same summer, reflecting the trust the club places in him.
Fernandez’s handling of the situation demonstrates the importance of accountability, communication, and personal growth in professional sports. The midfielder has emphasised that his intent was never to offend, and he hopes the incident serves as a learning moment for both himself and others in the footballing community.
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