Fernandez incident: Chelsea must act decisively

Chelsea must take decisive action against Enzo Fernandez’s racist chants

In a shocking turn of events, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has publicly condemned his teammate Enzo Fernandez for taking part in and filming a racist chant against French players. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the urgent need for Chelsea to address the matter decisively. This blog explores why there is no justification for Enzo Fernandez’s actions and why Chelsea must act quickly to preserve their integrity and team harmony.

The controversy erupted when Enzo Fernandez, along with other Argentine players, celebrated Argentina’s victory over Colombia at the Copa América by singing a song mocking the origins of the French national team players. The chant, which was captured on video, included derogatory remarks about the French players’ ancestry. He said: “They play for France, but they are from Angola. His mother is Nigerian, his father is Cameroonian. But on the passport it says: French.” This blatant racism was shared on social media and drew widespread criticism.

Wesley Fofana, a prominent member of Chelsea’s French team, took to social media to express his anger and disappointment. In a post on X, Fofana shared a screen capture of the video and captioned it “Football in 2024: unbridled racism.” This act of solidarity with his French teammates highlights the deep rift that Fernandez’s actions have caused within the team. Following the incident, several French Chelsea players, including Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana, unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram. This collective move is a clear sign of disapproval and the need for Chelsea management to intervene.

The need for immediate action

Chelsea’s reputation as a club that promotes diversity and inclusivity is now at stake. Management must act swiftly and decisively against Fernandez and his accomplices. Ignoring or trivialising the incident would not only damage the club’s image but would also set a dangerous precedent. Club management must publicly condemn the actions as racist and unacceptable and ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken.

Furthermore, the incident has created a potential problem in the dressing room. Trust and camaraderie among teammates are vital to the success of any football team. Fernandez’s actions have undoubtedly destroyed unity within the team, especially among the French players. In order to restore harmony and prevent further discord, it is imperative to address this issue head-on.

Enzo Fernandez must acknowledge the gravity of his actions and take responsibility. An immediate and sincere apology to the players involved and the wider football community is the first step. However, an apology alone is not enough. Fernandez should actively seek ways to make amends, although how that will be done remains to be seen. Maresca faces a real challenge in pre-season that he did not want. Let’s hope he and Chelsea do the right thing, and do it quickly.