Chelsea begin discipline procedure against Enzo Fernandez for role in ‘racist’ chant

Chelsea FC have commenced a disciplinary procedure against Enzo Fernandez for his part in chanting an alleged racially offensive song. 

On Tuesday, the video of Argentina players celebrating their 2024 Copa America triumph surfaced on social media.

In the video, the players chanted songs, one of which was directed at the French national team players’ multi-cultural backgrounds.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez broadcast the celebration to his over 11 million Instagram followers and was seen singing along to the lyrics.

In reaction, the French Football Federation (FFF) described the song as “unacceptable” and “racist”.

The federation also threatened legal action against Argentina players over the “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks”.

In the latest development, Chelsea announced in a statement on Wednesday that “an internal disciplinary procedure” has been initiated on the matter.

The club also added that it “finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable”.

Chelsea have a handful of players who are black or mixed race in their first team. There are reports many of them are angry about the video and Fernandez’s role in broadcasting the incident.

Wesley Fofana, a French Chelsea player with Ivorian heritage, condemned the video on his X page.

However, Fernandez apologised for singing and broadcasting the song.

He admitted that the song “includes highly-offensive language” but was “caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations”.