Two Chelsea players put in charge of ‘consultation’ between Enzo Fernandez and teammates after ‘racist’ chant

Enzo Fernandez joined up with the Chelsea squad on Monday for their US pre-season tour.

Enzo Fernandez apologised to his teammates in person after he joined up with the rest of the Chelsea squad for their pre-season tour, with two players being labelled ‘lead figures’ in the consultation process.

In the aftermath of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final, a video posted to Fernandez’s Instagram story received widespread criticism.

The clip from Argentina’s team bus shows Fernandez and his teammates chanting an offensive song that singles out French players with family connections across a number of African nations, and who hold a French passport.

The lyrics to the chant were: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French.”

According to reports, all of Chelsea’s French players – Fofana, Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr – unfollowed Fernandez on social media after the incident.

Fernandez has since issued a public apology after the France Football Federation [FFF] confirmed it would file a complaint to FIFA for the “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”

On Monday, the Argentine midfielder joined up with the rest of the Chelsea squad in Atlanta ahead of their upcoming pre-season games against Club America, Man City, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

The 23-year-old is said to have apologised ‘immediately’ to the players, according to Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who has shared a detailed account of events.

“Fernandez has already trained with the squad and had lunch with all his teammates,” Solhekol said on Tuesday afternoon.

“He has told Chelsea he will be making a significant contribution to an anti-discrimination charity and Chelsea will be matching the contribution. Talks are also underway to decide where is the best place to donate the funds.”

Fernandez has been in contact with members of the squad following his public social media apology two weeks ago, but Monday was the first opportunity to apologise in person.

It is claimed Fernandez, captain Reece James and Axel Disasi have been the ‘lead figures’ in the consultation process with other Chelsea players.

Solhekol added: “Chelsea had instigated a disciplinary process against the player. The matter is now closed as the player is regarded as having been proactive in apologising in public and in private and by pre-empting a fine by making a donation to fund anti-racism and anti-discrimination education.

“Fernandez says he is sorry and is committed to anti-racism and anti discrimination. A FIFA investigation into the incident is continuing.”

Image credit: Getty

Chelsea captain Reece James was recently asked if the incident could damage dressing room morale, and he didn’t shy away from that potential scenario.

“Of course. There’s always the factor where it doesn’t sit right with people when there could be a problem.

“But until the day comes where everyone’s together and in a room together, I don’t know, but I hope things can be resolved smoothly and we can move forward with the season.”

James then opened up on speaking to Fernandez, who “put his hand up and acknowledged he’d done wrong” following the incident.

“I spoke to him a bit, but it was hard because we were on different time zones,” James said.

“Just a general chat really. His views on what happened and him trying to explain his situation and how things happened.

“It’s a really difficult situation. There’s no room for racism or discrimination in football.

“I think he quickly put his hand up and acknowledged he’d done wrong and apologised to his team-mates, the club and the rest of the people that were offended.

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“I think that was probably the best he could have done in that situation.”