First member of France’s Euro 2024 squad reacts to ‘racist’ Argentina video with just one word
A member of France's Euro 2024 squad has reacted to Enzo Fernandez and Argentina players singing an alleged racist song after winning the Copa America.
Lionel Scaloni's side retained their trophy thanks to a 1-0 win over Colombia in extra time in Sunday's final.
Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 112th minute at the Hard Rock Stadium.
But the victory was overshadowed by unsavoury chants from Argentina's players following the triumph.
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On Instagram live on the team bus after the game, Chelsea midfielder Fernandez filmed himself and teammates chanting: "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."
Fernandez appeared to be told stop filming, with the video cutting out shortly after.
On Tuesday, the France Football Federation issued a statement and said that president Philippe Diallo "condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable and discriminatory remarks that were made against the players of the French team".
The FFF also said they would be filing a complaint to FIFA over the remarks.
The chant dates back to the 2022 World Cup when Argentina fans were heard signing it ahead of the final against France.
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, who featured for Les Bleus at Euro 2024, weighed in with a damning response.
The former Sevilla man took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to simply write: "Lamentable" - accompanied by two clown emojis and one sick emoji.
Kounde had quote-tweeted a post from compatriot Wesley Fofana, who plays with Fernandez at Chelsea and was left furious.
Posting the clip, he wrote: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism," - adding three facepalming emojis.
As per talkSPORT, all of Chelsea's French players – Fofana, Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr – have all unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
Fernandez has issued an apology on social media for the "highly offensive language".
He wrote: "I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.
"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.
"That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
Josh Lawless