The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday that it will lodge a complaint with FIFA regarding “racist and discriminatory comments” made by Argentina players in their post-match chants about the French team following their Copa América victory.
A video shared on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández, currently with Chelsea, featured Argentine players seemingly singing about French players of African descent.
One of Fernandez’s Chelsea teammates, French defender Wesley Fofana, shared the Argentina team video on his social media on Tuesday, labeling it as “uninhibited racism.”
“Due to the gravity of these shocking comments, which go against the principles of sportsmanship and human rights, the FFF president has chosen to reach out to his Argentine counterpart and FIFA to file a formal complaint regarding these racist and discriminatory statements,” the French football federation stated on Tuesday.
Fernandez apologized on his Instagram story, admitting that the song he and his teammates sang contained “highly offensive language.”
Fernandez stated, “There is no justification for these comments. I oppose discrimination in all its forms and regret getting swept up in the excitement of our Copa América celebrations.”
He added, “That video and those words do not represent my values or character. I sincerely apologize.”
Fofana, who has connections to the Ivory Coast, is among several Black French players on the Chelsea team.
Similar chants from some Argentina fans were heard before the World Cup final two years ago, which Argentina won against France.
These offensive chants target French players of African descent, many of whom hold French citizenship.
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, strongly condemned the racist and discriminatory remarks directed at the French players, which were part of a song sung by Argentine players and supporters.
Diallo, who is also on UEFA’s executive committee, is gaining recognition in soccer politics.
FIFA has not yet confirmed if a complaint from France has been submitted.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasized that soccer and its 211 national associations must adopt a zero-tolerance stance on racism and announced in May the intention to revive a task force to address such incidents.