During the celebration of Argentina’s 2024 Copa America victory, Enzo Fernandez and several of his teammates sang a song that included heavily derogatory content aimed at black French players. The lyrics referenced players of African descent from countries like Algeria, Angola, and Cameroon, and repeatedly stated: “They come from Africa but have French passports.”
Under mounting pressure and widespread criticism, Enzo Fernandez officially issued an apology. He explained that he had been thoughtless and “caught up in the celebration” of their victory. The Chelsea midfielder also stressed that he does not hold any racist beliefs and that his actions during the celebration did not reflect his personal values.
Despite his apology, it appears that these explanations may not suffice to help Enzo avoid a long-term suspension. His club, Chelsea, has publicly stated that they do not condone his actions and have committed to imposing disciplinary action on him. Additionally, FIFA has launched an investigation into the matter to determine the appropriate course of action.
The situation has further escalated as the English Football Association (FA) is also considering a long-term ban for Enzo. The FA has a strict policy against racial and ethnic discrimination and has shown its commitment to this cause by implementing the practice of players taking the knee before matches as a stand against racism for several seasons.
According to BeIN Sports, the 23-year-old midfielder may face a ban from the FA ranging from 6 to 12 matches. This punishment would be accompanied by a specific fine, the amount of which has not yet been disclosed.
Moreover, Enzo Fernandez is at risk of facing additional sanctions from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). Reports suggest that he could be banned for a minimum of 5 matches. FIFA is also taking a firm stance on this issue, indicating that they are likely to impose an 11,000 euro fine on Enzo.
In total, the number of matches Enzo might be banned from could reach up to 20, which means he would be sidelined for several months. Such a lengthy suspension would have significant implications for both Chelsea’s plans and the Argentina national team, as they would be without one of their key midfielders during this period. The repercussions of this incident highlight the serious consequences of actions and behaviors that go against the principles of equality and respect in sports.
