The film has returned to Cobham, and his sentiments are unequivocal.
The first Chelsea player has responded to a video by Enzo Fernandez, which shows Argentinean teammates chanting a racial slur. Enzo Fernandez was seen filming a racist chant aimed at the French national team. The offensive chant includes lines like: “Their parents are from Angola, although they play for France. Their father from Nigeria; their mother from Cameroon. But their passport indicates French.”
In the video, several Argentina players are seen shouting the chant on a team bus. The chant appears toward the end of an Instagram live session before the Chelsea midfielder is told to stop recording. The French Football Federation condemned the chant and lodged a legal complaint.
Wesley Fofana, a Chelsea player, was the first to speak out against his teammate, Enzo Fernandez. Fofana took to social media to criticize Fernandez, posting a video of him chanting the offensive slogan. Accompanied by three facepalming emojis, Fofana’s post read, “Football in 2024: unbridled bigotry.” Fofana, along with his French-speaking Chelsea teammates Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto, has unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Chelsea has several French players on its roster, including Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, and Malang Sarr. The incident has thus affected a significant portion of the team. New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who has recently started pre-season training for the 2024/25 season, now faces a challenging situation.
Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a record £106.8 million transfer fee. Since his move to England, he has made 63 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions. Wesley Fofana, originally signed from Leicester City for an initial £70 million, suffered a severe ACL injury that sidelined him for the entire 2023/24 season. Since joining Chelsea, Fofana has only played in 20 matches across all competitions.
This incident involving Fernandez has not only sparked controversy but has also brought to light issues of racism and discrimination within the team. The reaction from Fofana and other French-speaking players underscores the seriousness of the matter. The French Football Federation’s legal action further highlights the broader implications of such behavior.
As Chelsea moves forward with pre-season preparations, manager Enzo Maresca must address this issue head-on. The unity and morale of the team are at stake, and how the club handles this situation will be closely watched. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges football faces regarding racism and the importance of maintaining respect and inclusivity within the sport.
