FIFA has launched an investigation into racist chants by Argentine players after winning the Copa América, following a complaint from the French Football Federation (FFF).
FIFA announced this Wednesday that it has opened an investigation following the racist chants appearing in a video posted on social media involving Argentine national team players after winning the Copa América.
"FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media, and the incident is being investigated. FIFA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination by anyone, including players, fans, and officials," the organization stated.
FIFA's stance comes after a complaint from the French Football Federation (FFF), whose players were targeted in the video. The FFF also intends to file a legal complaint for "racist and discriminatory insults."
"Given the severity of the shocking comments, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF contacted his Argentine counterpart and FIFA directly and decided to file a court complaint for racial and discriminatory insults," the French federation stated.
The chants heard in the video made on the Argentine bus, in which Enzo Fernández appears prominently singing and filming, started with some Argentine fans during the 2022 World Cup. They allude to the African ancestry of the French players and include a transphobic comment about an alleged relationship involving Kylian Mbappé.
Argentina won the World Cup title in 2022, in a final precisely against France, in the competition held in Qatar.
The actions of the midfielder, a former Benfica player now at Chelsea, also led the English club to open a disciplinary process against Enzo Fernández.
“Chelsea considers any form of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable. We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive club where all people, from all cultures, communities, and identities, are welcome. We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The club has initiated an internal disciplinary process,” Chelsea stated in a communiqué.
The information from the Blues came after Enzo Fernández posted an apology on Instagram on Tuesday. “The song includes very offensive language, and there is no excuse for these words. I am against all forms of discrimination and apologize for getting carried away in the euphoria of celebrating the Copa América,” he wrote.
Argentina, the reigning world champion, won the Copa América for the second consecutive time on Sunday night, defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final with a goal scored by Lautaro Martínez in extra time, at the 112th minute.
This incident has drawn significant attention from the global football community, highlighting the ongoing issue of racism and discrimination in sports. It has sparked discussions on the responsibility of players, clubs, and football organizations to uphold the values of respect and inclusivity. The swift actions by FIFA, the FFF, and Chelsea FC underscore the zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior and the importance of addressing these issues promptly and effectively.
As the investigation continues, there will likely be further developments and potential consequences for those involved. This case serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat discrimination in all forms within the sport, ensuring that football remains a unifying and inclusive activity for everyone.
