ENZO Fernandez issues an apology, clarifies his stance on racism but is it enough?

In the wake of their Copa America victory, the Argentine National team has gone under fire following a social media video in which a number of players were singing a long to a racist chant. Among them was Premier League’s most expensive midfielder in history; Enzo Fernandez. He won the FIFA World-cup’s young player of the tournament 18 months ago, but now, a minute or two of euphoria has put his salad football career in jeopardy.

Football, according to many a professional is more than just what goes on in the pitch. In fact, some argue that it is 90% what goes on off the pitch, 10% what goes on on the pitch. It is meant to bring people together, regardless of their race, gender or continent of origin. In the chant, it is alleged, that the Argentine players were mocking the French National Team, in what could be a response to their victory over France in the 2022 FIFA World cup tournament.

According to loose translations by multiple reports from Marca and other French sources, the chant, which was in Spanish references the origins of a number of French National team players as it went: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French.” This has reportedly spurred criticism from many football stakeholders, including fans, pundits, footballers, football investors and Federations, speaking of which, the French Football Federation has vowed to pursue legal actions against the team.

This is not the first time that la Albiceleste caused online uproar by racial connotations in their behavior, but even after the 2022 World Cup victory, this same song was allegedly used to mock Les Bleus and Kylian Mbappe in particular. Enzo, for one went live on Instagram and led the chants as his jubilant teammates sang a long.

In response, to the outcry that followed, Enzo Fernandez published, in his Instagram account a statement of apology, in which he insisted that he stands against all forms of discrimination. ” I want to apologize sincerely for a video posted on my instagram channel during the National Team celebration,” the statement reads in part. ” The song includes highly offensive language, and there is absolutely no excuse for these words,” he declared. ” I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations,” the statement reads. ” That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character,” he stated. “I am truly sorry,” the statement ends.

In response, some football analysts and reporters have expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming it is something they had pre-meditated or worse still, practiced. Taking to his X account, The Telegraph writer James Ducker, demystified Enzo’s apology saying it leaves a lot to be desired. ” On Enzo Fernandez, he says he stands against all forms of discrimination but you don’t instantly happen to know all the words to that song, you’d have to learn them to be able to belt it out word for word that enthusiastically. Which, I think, tells you plenty,” Ducker’s post reads on X. Jining in his tune is Darren Lewis, a football writer from The Mirror. Via his X account, Lewis said: “So Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has apologized for his part in singing a song – with his Argentina team-mates – so racist his Black club-mates have unfollowed and condemned him publicly. The trouble with his apology is that it’s hard to be against discrimination in all forms when you’re captured among the people doing the discriminating. Also that video, those words – which everyone singing appeared to know word for word – and your Black club-mates’ unprecedented reaction would appear to suggest it does reflect your beliefs and your character.”

While it is reported that Enzo, 22 has since privately apologized to his teammates, black blues who had unfollowed him on social media are yet to follow him back, while it Chelsea, in a statement posted on their website insists that disciplinary actions will be taken. “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,” the statement, that was released on the 17th of July 2024 reads in part. ” We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”

While football fraternity continue to react to the events, rumors have it that Stamford bridge will slap the Argentine with a hefty fine in the event that they conclude their independent investigation and find enough evidence against him. It however remains to be seen whether an apology is enough for both his black teammates and others in the football fraternity.