Yahoo Sports Argentinian government left reeling following accusations of Albiceleste racist chanting towards L’Équipe de France
The racist chanting directed at L’Équipe de France following Argentina’s 1-0 Copa America victory over Colombia on Sunday night has provoked a debate that has risen even to the corridors of power in the country’s government.
During the post-match celebrations, midfielder Enzo Fernandez went live on social media, filming a chant sung by several members of the winning team that appears to take aim at the mixed origins of certain members of Les Bleus squad, causing both media outrage and an official complaint lodged by the Fédération Française de Football (FFF).
In Buenos Aires, the situation has caused embarrassment, with Julio Garro, the assistant secretary of Argentinian Sports, demanding national team Captain Lionel Messi and the president of the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) Claudio Tapia apologise for the scandal, something that Garro later denied doing in a statement on X:
“I categorically deny asking Messi to apologise. That would be a lack of respect for someone who honours us with human and sporting qualities.”
Despite his apology, Garro was relieved of his duties by President Javier Milei, with a statement released on X to confirm the news.
The reaction has been one of strong condemnation elsewhere, with Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana calling out the midfielder on social media and several other French stars, such as Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, unfollowing him. Chelsea have opened an investigation, the outcome of which is as yet unclear.
