FIFA is looking into a video spreading on social media featuring the Argentina national team members singing about French players in a racially abusive way, which the French Football Federation (FFF) has labeled as discriminatory.
The FFF revealed on Monday its intention to complain to the global football governing body concerning the video, which includes Argentina players chanting about French striker Kylian Mbappe’s African roots during their celebrations of winning the Copa America.
Argentina forward Enzo Fernandez posted a video on Instagram celebrating the team’s 1-0 victory over Colombia to win the Copa America.
In response, a FIFA spokesperson acknowledged the video circulating on social media and stated that the incident is under investigation, emphasizing FIFA’s strong condemnation of all forms of discrimination, whether by players, fans, or officials.
Fernandez later issued an apology on social media, where he stated getting “caught up in the euphoria of our celebrations” and acknowledged that the song in the video contained highly offensive language, for which there is no excuse.
His Chelsea teammate, Wesley Fofana, previously described the video as displaying “uninhibited racism.”
The Office of Argentina President Javier Milei said the country’s undersecretary for sports, Julio Garro, had been removed from his position for suggesting that Argentina captain Messi apologize for the chants.
Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel stood up for Fernandez and the Argentina team, asserting that she would not tolerate the behavior of a “colonialist” nation.
While posting on her X account, she said, “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song on the pitch or for telling the truths they don’t want to admit.”
“Argentina is a sovereign and free country. We never had colonies or second-class citizens. We have never imposed our way of life on anyone.
“But neither will we tolerate that they do it to us. Enzo I support you, Messi, thanks for everything! Argentinians always hold your head up high.”
Argentina lifted their 16th Copa America title on Sunday and this was their second back to back title under their World Cup winning manager Lionel Scaloni.
