The French soccer federation announced Tuesday it intends to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA following what it described as “racist and discriminatory remarks” by Argentina players directed at France’s team after Argentina’s Copa America victory.
Argentina secured a 1-0 win over Colombia on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida. A video posted on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who plays for Chelsea, showed members of the Argentina squad apparently singing chants referencing French players of African heritage.
France defender Wesley Fofana, who also plays for Chelsea and has familial ties to Ivory Coast, shared the video on his social media accounts on Tuesday, denouncing the chants as “uninhibited racism.” Fofana is one of several Black players in Chelsea’s first-team squad.
Similar chants were reportedly heard from Argentina fans before the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina, which Argentina won.
“The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, strongly condemns the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks directed at the players of the France team during a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team,” the FFF stated in a release on Tuesday.
In response to the seriousness of the situation, the FFF stated it would reach out directly to its Argentine counterpart and FIFA to formally file the complaint.
Despite Enzo Fernandez issuing an apology on Instagram for his actions, terming them “unwarranted,” criticism continued to pour in.
“FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasized the need for a zero-tolerance approach to racism within soccer and has committed to relaunching a task force to monitor such incidents,” the FFF noted in its statement.
As of Tuesday, FIFA had not confirmed whether it had received the French federation’s complaint. Philippe Diallo, who also serves on UEFA’s executive committee, has been increasingly involved in soccer governance and policy-making.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges with racism in soccer, prompting renewed calls for action and vigilance within the sport’s global community.
