Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez has opened up about the significant fallout and subsequent reconciliation with his club teammates following his involvement in a discriminatory social media video last year.
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
The controversy erupted after an Instagram Live stream, filmed in the euphoric aftermath of Argentina's 2024 Copa America victory, showed Fernandez recording and participating in an offensive chant. The chant targeted France's black footballers and their heritage.
The French Football Federation (FFF) swiftly condemned the footage, labelling the content 'unacceptable, racist and discriminatory'. The reaction within Chelsea's dressing room was severe and immediate. French international defender Wesley Fofana, a club teammate, described the scenes as 'uninhibited racism'. Several other Chelsea players expressed their anger by unfollowing the Argentine World Cup winner on social media.
A Personal Apology and Dressing Room Repair
Fernandez, who later had his apology accepted by Fofana, has now detailed the steps he took to address the situation head-on. In an interview, he explained that he cancelled a planned holiday to join Chelsea's pre-season tour early, specifically to speak to his teammates in person.
'What happened is not typical of who I am,' Fernandez stated. 'It was a really hard time for me personally and I suffered during it. I've always understood my teammates' position, so the first thing I did was to phone them and tell them I wasn't going to go on holiday because I wanted to travel back to speak to them in person to tell them what sort of guy I am and about my values.'
He described the chant as part of Argentine 'football folklore' and a moment of euphoria where he did not intend to hurt anyone. His primary goal was to demonstrate to the squad that he is not someone who discriminates. 'They understood my message and that's where it all ended,' he added, confirming that harmony has been restored. 'It all fizzled out and there's now very good harmony in the dressing room.'
Leadership, Relationships, and Avoiding Sanction
Remarkably, the episode did not derail Fernandez's standing at the club. That same summer, following the appointment of new manager Enzo Maresca, he was named Chelsea's vice-captain. Maresca publicly noted it was 'important to recognise Enzo made a mistake and now it's finished'.
Fernandez insists the difficult period ultimately strengthened his bonds with the squad, particularly with the French contingent. 'Yes, absolutely,' he replied when asked if relationships improved. 'I have a very good relationship with them. We often eat together and do things outside of the dressing room.' He expressed deep gratitude for the club's unwavering support during the crisis.
Despite a formal complaint from the FFF to FIFA, Fernandez avoided any punishment from the Premier League, the FA, or UEFA. The governing bodies determined that, as the incident occurred while he was on international duty with Argentina, it fell under the jurisdiction of the South American football confederation, CONMEBOL.
