Former midfielder and coach of Argentina’s Olympic football team, Javier Mascherano has said he felt the video had been “taken out of context” as he sprang to the defence of Fernandez.
“Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” said Mascherano.
“I know Enzo, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t have any problems like that,” Mascherano insisted
“Often, as part of a celebration, you can take part of a video and take it out of context.
“If there’s one thing we are as a country, it’s a totally inclusive country. People from all over the world live in Argentina and we treat them as they should be treated.” the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder said.
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a Premier League record fee of £105 million in 2023, said in his apology: “The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) complained to FIFA about the chants on Monday. FFF president Philippe Diallo “condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team”.
France beat Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup and Argentina beat France four years later in the final.
