Chelsea have issued a statement in response to Enzo Fernandez's role in singing an "offensive" song about the French national team while on international duty. The incident occurred after the Argentina national team defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday, with Fernandez taking to social media to issue an apology as his team-mates were reportedly left furious by his actions.
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Fernandez, 23, has come under fire for his role in singing the offensive chant and uploading it to Instagram, which left his team-mate Wesley Fofana furious as the French defender described the song as “uninhibited racism.” Fofana's post had been viewed 55 million times at the time of writing.
It also emerged that some of Fernandez's French team-mates at the club - such as Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto - had unfollowed the £107million midfielder on Instagram. Reports in France suggest his Chelsea team-mates are 'very angry' with the Argentinian's behaviour.
In addition, RMC Sport report the French Football Federation (FFF) have launched an official complaint with the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) as several players engaged in the 'racist' chanting.
The Premier League club have now responded by issuing a condemnation of "all forms of discriminatory behaviour" and confirmed an internal investigation is underway, with Fernandez likely to receive a punishment.
The statement read: "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
"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."
The controversial incident came during an Instagram Live stream that Fernandez captured on phone while on a charter flight with the rest of the Argentina squad. Along with several Albiceleste players, Fernandez could be heard singing: "On passport, French nationality, listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all…"
At this point, Fernandez was instructed to cut the video, and it remains unclear if the chant was continued. The complete lyrics to the tune are: "Listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all from Angola, they are going to run well, they like to sleep with trans people, their mum is Nigerian, their dad is Cameroonian, but on the passport it says: French."
Fernandez, who is not currently in the UK after the tournament finished, took to social media again on Tuesday night to apologise for his actions.
"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations," Fernandez wrote. "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."
It is not yet known whether the Football Association will decide to launch their own investigation into Fernandez's behaviour. He is not due back at Chelsea's training ground at Cobham for at least another two weeks and will miss the start of their pre-season tour of the USA, which begins on July 25.
