We explain the controversy, born in 2022

The Argentines are in turmoil after a racist chant was broadcast following their Copa America victory. The condemnations are unanimous and the authorities are taking up the issue.

A controversy that does not die down. After a Copa America won against Colombia, it was time to celebrate for the Albiceleste on the night of July 14 to 15. The Argentinian players, carried away by the joy of victory, were having fun on the bus. That’s when they completely went off the rails in the middle of Enzo Fernandez’s Instagram live. Racist remarks were made against the players of the French team, repeating a chant well known to Argentinian supporters, born during the 2022 World Cup.

November 15, 2022, birth of a racist and hateful song

The World Cup in Qatar has not yet started and the Argentinians are already making themselves known for their fervor in the streets of Doha. But a group of supporters goes too far. Live on television, on TyC Sports, Argentina’s first sports news channel, a group of friends completely goes off the rails by singing a racist chant. Hateful remarks against the players of the French team – in particular Kylian Mbappé – are made.

“They play for France but they all come from Angola, it’s good, they know how to run, they’re trans like this fucking thing of Mbappé, his mother is Nigerian [franco-algérienne en réalité]his father is Cameroonian, but on the passport: French”This vehemence against the Bondy native comes in particular from the victory of the Blues against Argentina during the 2018 World Cup, during which Mbappé had blossomed in the eyes of the whole world by scoring a double.

December 18, 2022, tensions heightened during the final

2018 revenge is possible for the Argentine national team in Qatar. The French and the Argentines meet again four years later for the final of the competition in Doha. After another epic match, which ended in a penalty shootout in favor of the Argentines, the Argentine fans were once again insulting the French players. Racist tweets were listed in the hundreds on the evening of the match. During the celebrations in Buenos Aires on December 21, effigies of Kylian Mbappé were burned and racist chants were heard again.

July 15, 2024, the skid of the Argentine players

Tensions between the Argentines and the French never really subsided. Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper for the Albiceleste and Aston Villa, was roundly booed during his match in Lille on April 18. The goalkeeper’s behavior has often been criticized, particularly by the players of the French team.

Everything seemed calm until the celebrations of the Argentina players after their victory in the Copa América on the night of Sunday to Monday. On the team bus, Enzo Fernandez filmed the celebrations and began to sing a song, the same one that the Argentina fans sang during the 2022 World Cup, before interrupting the broadcast. The video, containing racist remarks towards French internationals, quickly went viral.

July 16, 2024, the controversy swells

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra was one of the first to react. The Minister of Sports, Olympic and Paralympic Games directly denounced “behaviors that are all the more unacceptable as they are repeated”. She called this video “pathetic” and called on FIFA, demanding a “reaction“The French Football Federation (FFF) has also contacted the world football body. In a statement, it announced that it would file a legal complaint.”given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values ​​of sport and human rights“.

Philippe Diallo, the president of the FFF, condemned “with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks that were made against the players of the French team” in this song. Two French internationals also spoke out on the controversy. Very committed to societal issues, Jules Koundé described the scene as “lamentable.” Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana denounced a display of “uninhibited racism“.

July 17, 2024, Fifa and Chelsea condemn Argentine players

Despite the apologies of Enzo Fernandez, who admits on social networks, having been “carried away by the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations“, the authorities have taken up the subject. Chelsea, the club to which Enzo Fernandez belongs, has announced the opening of a “internal disciplinary procedure” against its midfielder. Called to act by the FFF and the Ministry of Sports, FIFA also announced the opening of an investigation following these comments. The body “strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone, including players, supporters and officials“The matter is now in the hands of the world body.