The whole story of the French Football Federation suing an Argentine player to FIFA

Chelsea investigate player Enzo Fernandez after racism scandal

The incident arose from a video posted on social media by midfielder Enzo Fernandez while celebrating with his teammates on the Argentina national team winning the 2024 Copa America. In the video, the Argentine players sang provocative lyrics about the French national team - their opponents in the 2022 World Cup final - with the content referring to how many French players are of African descent. "They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mothers are from Cameroon, and their fathers are from Nigeria. But their passports are French," the lyrics read.

Enzo Fernandez's video has sparked outrage. Chelsea centre-back Fofana, the son of an Ivorian father, took to social media to share the video, sending a harsh message to the Argentine national team. The French defender wrote: "Football in 2024, is there still this racism?"

French Football Federation sues Argentina

The French Football Federation (FFF) has responded strongly, filing a complaint with FIFA and asking the body to investigate the incident. "The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the French national team in the context of a song sung by the Argentine players after the Copa America victory and broadcast in a video on social networks," a statement from the FFF said. "Given the gravity of these shocking remarks, which go against the values ​​of sport and human rights, the FFF President has decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and file a legal complaint for offensive remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature."

Chelsea Internal

Fofana and Fernandez have been teammates at Chelsea for the past 18 months. At international level, they faced off at the 2022 World Cup, when France and Argentina played out a dramatic final.

Fofana and fellow French players at Chelsea such as Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr have all unfollowed Fernandez on social media.

Chelsea have also begun investigating their players in connection with allegations of racism.

Fernandez apologizes

Following Fofana's social media post, Fernandez issued an apology. He wrote on Instagram: "I would like to sincerely apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team's celebrations. The song contained highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I am against discrimination in any form and I apologize for getting caught up in the excitement of the Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."

Currently, the media has contacted the Argentine Football Federation but has not received a response.