However contrite Enzo Fernandez may be he deserves a ban.
Four lessons learned from the Copa America…
1.There could be tension in pre-season for those Argentina internationals returning to their clubs following Enzo Fernandez’s brief streaming of a few players and fans engaged in a racist chant about France’s footballers. It’s not banter, it’s bigotry. Enzo’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, a France international, has already shared the vile video with the condemnation: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”. Even those not involved in the chanting, and privately may have been disapproving of it, get dragged into the mess simply by association. This is a scandal engulfing the whole squad. Maybe Lautaro Martinez could get his Inter Milan team-mate Marcus Thuram to talk to the Argentina squad, to give the French perspective and try to educate those in the group with a tendency towards bigotry. Marcus himself has spoken out on racism in football and society, including why players should leave the field if racially abused. His father Lilian has done such important campaigning work on racism.
The French Football Federation condemned the song, a sick favourite of Argentina fans following the teams’ World Cup meetings, for its “racist and discriminatory language”. Punishment will ensue in varying forms, whether fines, possible suspensions, let alone widespread opprobrium. To think such thoughts, and sing them, is reprehensible. It needs a collective show of contrition from the entire squad, and a demand that their own supporters stop singing it. The chant embarrasses a great country, tarnishes their Copa triumph and will be an awkward subject raised when Argentina try to appeal to the global community for the right to host events.
Individual consequences will follow. Chelsea will surely send Enzo on an education course to enlighten him on the evils of racism. It is also the reaction closer to home, the censure of his club colleagues, some of whom have unfollowed him on social media, the ultimate act of cold-shouldering in the modern era. That should also make Enzo think again. In fairness, he sounds mortified and has apologised. But he cannot escape the consequences. It is not as if he’s untouchable at Chelsea, regardless of the £100m+ fee. He is a terrific footballer for Argentina but still to impress completely at the Bridge. Chelsea looked better balanced towards the end of the season with Conor Gallagher partnering Moises Caicedo in the centre. Enzo’s behaviour is also a headache, and media trigger point, the new head coach, Enzo Maresca, could do without. Enzo has also guaranteed himself castigation from opposing fans. It’s offensive to think such things and naïve to believe there will be no consequences if caught. Enzo deserves an international ban.