By using this website you agree that we use cookies. You can find out more in the privacy policy.

The National Times - FIFA says opening probe into Argentina players' racist chants

FIFA says opening probe into Argentina players' racist chants

ECONOMY 17.07.2024
FIFA says opening probe into Argentina players' racist chants
FIFA says opening probe into Argentina players' racist chants / Photo: © AFP

FIFA said on Wednesday it was opening an investigation into racist chants by Argentina players after they won the Copa America.

Change text size:

"FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into," a spokesperson for world football's governing body said.

They added: "FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials."

The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.

Some players, including 23-year-old Fernandez, sing a chant dating back to the 2022 World Cup final in which Argentina beat France.

The song targets France's star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and includes racist and homophobic insults.

Chelsea had earlier announced they had launched an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez over the incident.

Fernandez has apologised and the club said in a statement it had launched an "internal disciplinary procedure."

"Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable," it added.

"We acknowledge and appreciate our player's public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate."

Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a Premier League record fee of £105 million ($136.8 million) in 2023, said in his apology: "The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.

"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations."

The French Football Federation (FFF) complained to FIFA about the chants on Monday.

FFF president Philippe Diallo "condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team".

France beat Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.

W.Baxter--TNT

Featured

Polls close in first Sri Lanka election since economic collapse

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka voted for its next president Saturday in an effective referendum on an unpopular International Monetary Fund austerity plan enacted after the island nation's unprecedented financial crisis.

The BYD Seal Hybrid U DM-i AWD in a practical test by journalists

With the BYD Seal Hybrid U DM-i AWD, the Chinese car brand BYD is bringing a new competitor to the European hybrid SUV market. The manufacturer BYD has obviously realised very quickly that the enthusiasm for electric cars in Europe has its limits and that our range anxiety is deeply rooted, with Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck recently announcing new tax benefits for electric cars and saying: "... we are currently preparing further tax relief for electric cars as part of the growth initiative". Despite everything, BYD is following up the all-electric version of the VW ID.4 competitor as the DM-i with its first plug-in hybrid, the BYD Seal Hybrid U DM-i in the all-wheel drive version, as the "AWD".

Ethiopians struggle with bitter pill of currency reform

In a small fashion store in Ethiopia's capital, Medanit Woldegebriel's dresses have almost doubled in price in the past two months, sending customers fleeing.

Sri Lanka votes in first poll since economic collapse

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka began voting for its next president Saturday in an effective referendum on an unpopular International Monetary Fund austerity plan enacted after the island nation's unprecedented financial crisis.

Change text size: