Enzo Maresca and Reece James emphasize that Chelsea is eager to swiftly ‘move forward’ from the controversy sparked by Enzo Fernandez’s video with his Argentina teammates at the Copa America.
Chelsea initiated an ‘internal disciplinary procedure’ last week after Fernandez recorded his Argentina teammates singing a racist song about France following their victory against Colombia in the Copa America final.
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During Fernandez’s live Instagram broadcast, Argentina’s players could be heard singing the initial lines of the song, ‘on passport, French nationality, listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all…’, before someone instructed, ‘cut the video’.
The racist and transphobic chant, first sung by Argentina supporters during the 2022 World Cup, alleges that France’s players are ‘all from Angola’ and makes a derogatory reference to a supposed relationship between Kylian Mbappe and transgender model Ines Rau.
Fernandez plays alongside several black French teammates at Chelsea, including Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Fofana shared the video on X, captioning it: ‘Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.’
Fofana, Gusto, and Disasi also unfollowed the Argentina midfielder on Instagram.
When asked about Fernandez’s situation, Maresca stated at his press conference in the United States on Tuesday evening: ‘I think it’s quite straightforward, the player issued a statement apologizing, and the club did the same.
‘I don’t believe there’s anything more to add regarding this situation; it’s already clear and clarified.’
Asked if he foresaw any challenges with Fernandez’s return to the Chelsea squad for the rest of their pre-season campaign next week, Maresca said: ‘I don’t think so, to be honest.
‘Ultimately, they are all human beings. I don’t think there is any ill intention from any of them.
‘So I don’t anticipate any issues when Enzo returns.
‘As I said, the player has already clarified the situation, the club did the same, there’s nothing more to add. Once again, they are not bad individuals; things like this can happen, but I don’t think it’s a problem at all.
‘I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with everyone involved, as I said, the player issued a statement apologizing, so it’s quite clear.’
Meanwhile, Chelsea captain James asserts he will address any disputes between Fernandez and his teammates if they arise upon his return to the squad.
‘It’s obviously a really difficult situation,’ James said.
‘I think Enzo acknowledged his mistake and quickly took responsibility, apologizing to the club, the team, and the people offended.
‘He hasn’t arrived yet, so I don’t know if there’s anything to resolve. I’ll make that judgment when he comes back.
‘But I hope everyone will be on the same page and can move forward from this situation.
‘I’ve spoken to Enzo and everyone involved, but the conversations have to stay private.’
