EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea players remain furious with Enzo Fernandez after apology

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 19 Jul 2024 09:23 BST
3 min read

Chelsea players remain furious with Enzo Fernandez despite his text message apology, FootballTransfers has learned.

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Earlier this week, the 23-year-old shared an Instagram video showing him and his Argentina teammates reciting a song with racist and transphobic lyrics aimed at French players of African descent as they celebrated their Copa America final victory over Colombia.

Fernandez later apologised for the video that went viral, stating it did not “reflect my beliefs or my character.”

Nevertheless, we are told that several players are still upset about the footage and sources indicate that reconciliation will only occur if Fernandez apologises to them face-to-face.

Fernandez, who was signed from Benfica for a British record fee of €112 million in January 2023, is likely to receive a fine and be sent on a racism education course.

Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, criticised the “uninhibited racism” in the video in a social media post. He and several other Chelsea players unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram after the video emerged online.

What did Chelsea players say online about the chanting?

David Datro Fofana, who was on loan at Burnley last season, appeared to criticised the video in an Instagram story.

He wrote: “The football that I like is multi-ethnic. Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These acts have no place in football or even anywhere else. This fight really needs to be taken seriously by everyone in this sport.”

While it is understood that Fernandez sent a message to all members of Chelsea’s first-team squad, several members remain angry and there remains more to do for Fernandez to have his apology accepted.

David Datro Fofana on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/3Pq0i75NXi

— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) July 17, 2024

The midfielder is scheduled to return for pre-season training in two weeks and is currently on holiday.

In a post on Instagram, Fernandez said: “I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations. 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. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”