Enzo Fernandez: See the Chelsea star's apology for singing a racist chant

 

Chelsea are investigating a video posted on social media by midfielder Enzo Fernandez that the French Football Federation says includes an alleged "racist and discriminatory" chant.

On Tuesday the FFF said it would file a complaint to world governing body FIFA over the video featuring a song sung by some of the Argentina squad about France's players.

Fernandez's Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram describing it as "uninhibited racism".

BBC Sport understands Chelsea are investigating the incident.

Fernandez said he is "truly sorry" for the video he posted as Argentina celebrated winning the Copa America.

"The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words," he said.

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

"That video, that moments, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character."

The FFF will contact the Argentine Football Association (AFA) about live video posted on social media by Fernandez after Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday.

A statement from the FFF, external 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".

It added: "Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly appeal to his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks."

The Argentine FA has been approached for comment.

France beat Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, and Argentina beat France in the final of the 2022 World Cup.

Chelsea have seven France players who are black or mixed race in their first-team squad - Fofana, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Malang Sarr.

After the incident, several of Fernandez's Chelsea compatriots unfollowed him on Instagram, including Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi. The Chelsea squad are reportedly very angry about the chats, with Fofana having called the video "racism." The French trio will have to face the former Benfica midfielder soon though as he is due to join back up with the Blues for pre-season ahead of the new Premier League campaign.