The Argentina national football team is facing widespread condemnation after players were recorded singing racist chants about French footballers during their Copa America celebrations.
The controversy erupted following Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night, July 14, securing their Copa America title.
In a video that has since gone viral, Argentine fans and players can be heard singing offensive chants that mock the African origins of black players within the French squad, including their captain, Kylian Mbappé.
The chants included vulgar and racist lyrics, such as “They play for France but come from Angola. Their mother is Nigerian, their father is Cambodian but on their passport: France.”
Additionally, the chants contained derogatory references to transgender individuals, specifically targeting Mbappé with comments about his rumoured relationship with transgender model Ines Rau.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez exacerbated the situation by posting a video of himself and his teammates singing the racist chants on the team bus after their victory.
The backlash on social media was immediate and intense, with many fans and public figures condemning the Argentine team for their behaviour.
Chelsea players Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, and Wesley Fofana responded by unfollowing Fernandez on Instagram, distancing themselves from the offensive remarks.
