French FA to Take Action Over Enzo Fernandez Video

The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced plans on Tuesday, 16 July, to file a complaint with FIFA following an allegedly racist video posted by Chelsea midfielder, Enzo Fernandez.

The video – shared on Instagram after Argentina’s 1-0 Copa América win over Colombia on Sunday, 14 July – features Fernandez and his teammates singing a derogatory song about French players of African heritage.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, who has Ivorian roots, condemned the video as “uninhibited racism” and reposted it on his Instagram account. Fernandez later apologised, stating that the video did not reflect his beliefs or character.

The FFF’s president, Philippe Diallo, criticised the chants as being contrary to the values of sport and human rights. He plans to contact both FIFA and the Argentine Football Association to address the issue and file a legal complaint.

FIFA has yet to confirm receipt of the complaint, though its president, Gianni Infantino, has reiterated the organisation’s zero-tolerance approach to racism.

This incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the race equality charity Sporting Equals, which praised Fofana for his stance and urged Chelsea, the English Premier League, the Football Association, and FIFA to take decisive action against such discriminatory behaviour.

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