Dj VnyashFIFA announced on Wednesday that it has initiated an investigation into racist chants by Argentina players following their Copa America victory. The investigation comes in response to a video circulating on social media, with FIFA expressing strong condemnation of all forms of discrimination from players, fans, and officials alike.
The incident occurred in a live video shared by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus after their Copa America win over Colombia in Miami on Sunday. The video includes a chant originating from the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina defeated France, targeting France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others with racist and homophobic insults.
Chelsea has since launched an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez, who has publicly apologized. The club stated that discriminatory behavior is unacceptable and will use this incident as an opportunity for education.
Fernandez acknowledged the offensive nature of the chant in his apology, emphasizing his stance against discrimination in any form. Argentina’s Olympic football team coach Javier Mascherano defended Fernandez, suggesting the video was taken out of context and stating that Argentina is a country known for its inclusivity.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding the chants, with FFF president Philippe Diallo condemning the remarks as racist and discriminatory against the French team players. France had famously defeated Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.
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