Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Enzo Fernandez 'learns fate' after Chelsea investigation into Argentina video

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 July 2024, 16:46
Chelsea have reportedly decided not to punish Enzo Fernandez after he was captured on video chanting racist and homophobic slurs about members of the France national team.

Following La Albiceleste's Copa America triumph earlier this month, the 23-year-old shared a video of himself and some of his teammates singing a derogatory song about French players of African descent.

Fernandez is reported to have apologised in person to his teammates in Atlanta on Monday, where the Chelsea squad is preparing for a friendly against Mexican side Club America on Wednesday night.

It is understood the Argentine has voluntarily offered to make a contribution to an anti-discrimination charity in recognition of his misjudgement.

The club has also privately pledged to match his donation through their charitable organisation, the Chelsea Foundation.

Fernandez not out of the woods just yet

BBC Sport report that several players appreciated Fernandez's attempts to apologise, and new manager Enzo Maresca is expected to announce the imminent return of the £107m midfielder.

In a media conference last week, the Italian downplayed the situation, stating that he did not anticipate any problems upon the 23-year-old's return.

"I don't think so," the Italian responded when quizzed about the issue on July 24. "They are all human beings. I don't think there are any bad intentions from any of them.

"I don't think when Enzo is back that we will have any situations. Enzo clarified the situation, the club the same, so there is nothing to add.

"They are not bad people or human beings. It can happen but I don't think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo and all of them."

FIFA is currently investigating the matter, which might lead to involvement from the Football Association (FA) and could result in a potential ban from domestic matches for Fernandez.

Mixed reactions toward Fernandez among Chelsea players

Chelsea's first-team squad includes several French players who are Black or of mixed race: Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, and Wesley Fofana.

Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, calling it "uninhibited racism."

Blues' winger Noni Madueke was one player who supported his manager's view, suggesting that the situation would ultimately "be fine."

However, club captain Reece James described the situation as a "problem" and offered to step in as a mediator, along with five-cap France international Disasi.

The social media video also triggered a diplomatic incident, resulting in the dismissal of ministers in Argentina and prompting the French Football Federation to file a legal complaint with FIFA.

Top News

24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur can make his long-awaited domestic return when Spurs square off with Nottingham Forest in Thursday's Premier League Boxing Day encounter. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be reuniting with the club he managed for 17 games when Tottenham Hotspur visit the City Ground for a Boxing Day Premier League battle. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Occupying opposite positions to what many perhaps expected at the start of the season, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur lock horns in a Premier League Boxing Day battle at the City Ground. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that star winger Bukayo Saka will miss "several weeks" due to a hamstring injury. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Martin Keown believes that Ethan Nwaneri could be the man to best deputise for Bukayo Saka at Arsenal. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have enquired about the availability of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi in January, according to a report. 24 December 2024 talksport.com 'Tis the season to be jolly, but perhaps not if your name is Michael Olise. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On a seemingly unstoppable surge towards Premier League title number two, Liverpool return from their brief Christmas hiatus on Boxing Day, hosting Leicester City in the 8pm kickoff. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Short-serving Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo seeks to prolong Spurs' festive misery on Boxing Day, when his Nottingham Forest side tackle the Lilywhites at the City Ground. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool sit top at Christmas having mauled Tottenham and fans are dreaming of more title glory. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Christmas is a joyful occasion for many, but some of the Premier League's lower-ranking sides may have slightly muted celebrations. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy might give consideration to a formation change for Boxing Day's Premier League clash away to leaders Liverpool. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot should be working with an identical group of players for Boxing Day's Premier League battle with Leicester City at Anfield. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour is known for telling a good story, whether that's on or off the pitch. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sweeping aside every obstacle in their path, Premier League title favourites Liverpool resume their pursuit of stardom at 8pm on Boxing Day, when Leicester City make the jaunt to Anfield. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sitting just above their hosts in the Premier League table, Aston Villa will visit Newcastle United on Boxing Day, aiming to avoid a fifth straight away defeat in England's top flight. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's quest to win a first Premier League title in 21 years is still on - Bukayo Saka's injury doesn't change anything. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has been talking team news and transfers ahead of Thursday's Premier League contest with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has lost Lucas Paqueta to suspension ahead of Boxing Day's Premier League battle with Southampton at St Mary's. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Football and travel chaos seem to go hand-in-hand over winter, but no one's had it quite as bad as Tottenham fans in 1996. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ivan Juric oversees his first Southampton match on Boxing Day, when the Saints pit their wits against West Ham United at St Mary's in the Premier League. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by two points and two places in the Premier League table, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both aim to boost their top-four ambitions when they clash on Boxing Day. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Boxing Day marks the beginning of a new era for Premier League basement boys Southampton, as Ivan Juric takes charge of his inaugural game at home to West Ham United. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester City have the chance to finally end their dreadful form on Boxing Day when they host Everton, live on talkSPORT. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 is already in jeopardy - with the January transfer window coming at a perfect time. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Carlos Corberan is set to leave West Brom and become the new manager of Valencia, talkSPORT understands. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is apparently under no pressure to select Marcus Rashford after the forward's bombshell interview. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's 'implosion' can be attributed to a number of factors this season, but Pep Guardiola's champions-in-crisis have simply reached the "natural end of an era", Steven McInerney of Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As two of the West London clubs that have spent the most time in the top flight of English football, Chelsea and Fulham are well accustomed to each other. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As two of the oldest clubs in English football, Everton and Manchester City have been at the heartbeat of two major footballing cities since the late-1800s, and their paths have crossed more than most others in the game.