France: The French soccer federation will file a complaint with FIFA over “racist and discriminatory remarks” made by Argentina players in post-match chants about France’s team after their Copa América victory.
In Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0. Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, a midfielder for Chelsea, shared a video on Instagram that went viral on X, including the players pretending to sing about French players who are of African descent.
Wesley Fofana, a defender for France and one of Fernandez’s Chelsea teammates, shared the Argentina team video on social media on Tuesday, labelling it as “uninhibited racism.”
Among the few Black French players in Chelsea’s first team is Fofana, who is from Ivory Coast. Before France and Argentina faced off in the World Cup final two years ago, which Argentina won, some Argentina supporters began chanting the same things.
“Given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to contact its Argentinian counterpart and Fifa directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks,” the French soccer federation said in a statement.
The insulting chants target French players who are of African descent, originate from multiple nations, and possess a French passport.
“The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the France team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team,” the FFF added.
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