Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández has apologised privately to his team-mates after being filmed chanting racist and homophobic slurs about members of the France team. The 23-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a British record £106.8 million in January 2023, posted a video on Instagram showing himself and Argentina team-mates singing the chants while celebrating their Copa América final victory over Colombia.
Fernández later issued a public apology, stating that the video did not “reflect my beliefs or my character”. Chelsea confirmed that they had instigated an internal disciplinary procedure, and the midfielder is expected to be fined and required to undergo a racism education course. The club said: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club.”
Fellow Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, who won his first senior cap for France last year, criticised the “uninhibited racism” in the video. He and several other Chelsea players unfollowed Fernández on Instagram. A message from Fernández was distributed to all first-team squad members on Wednesday, in which he apologised again. David Datro Fofana, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, also condemned the video, writing: “Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
Fifa is investigating the incident after the French Football Federation said it would file a legal complaint. A Fifa spokesperson said: “Fifa strongly condemns any form of discrimination.” Fernández is not due to return for pre-season training for another two weeks, leaving new manager Enzo Maresca with a potentially difficult task to reintegrate him into the squad.
