Enzo Fernandez has spoken on cutting short his 2024 holiday to apologise in person to Chelsea team-mates after posting a video with Argentina players singing a racist and homophobic song about France
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez cut his holiday short to apologise to Chelsea teammates
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Enzo Fernandez has disclosed that he abandoned his 2024 summer break to offer face-to-face apologies to his Chelsea colleagues following the emergence of footage showing him singing a racist and homophobic chant.
The 24-year-old midfielder shared an Instagram video in July 2024 capturing him and fellow Argentina players belting out offensive slurs targeting France squad members. The controversial moment unfolded on the team coach as they marked their Copa America final triumph over Colombia.
Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has represented France on one occasion, slammed the 'uninhibited racism' displayed in the footage, whilst several other players chose to unfollow him on social media. Fernandez subsequently issued an apology, insisting the video did not "reflect my beliefs or my character".
The midfielder has now spoken candidly about the racism controversy once more, confessing he chose to cut his summer break short to deliver personal apologies to his team-mates.
Chelsea were touring the United States for pre-season preparations ahead of their inaugural matches under new boss Enzo Maresca.
"I remember that period and what happened," Fernandez told GiveMeSport. "It was a really hard time for me personally and I suffered during it.
"What happened [being accused of signing a racist song] is not typical of who I am. I've always understood my team-mates' position, so the first thing I did was to phone them and tell them I wasn't going to go on holiday because I wanted to travel back to speak to them in person to tell them what sort of guy I am and about my values.
"They understood that and now we all get on well. It all fizzled out and there's now very good harmony in the dressing room.
"I called them while I was away. Fernandez continued, when asked if he immediately apologised in-person. "And then I cut my holiday short and travelled to where the team was for pre-season in America.
"The first thing I did when I arrived was to go and speak with them to apologise in person."
Wesley Fofana in action for Chelsea
Wesley Fofana slammed the 'uninhibited racism' displayed in the footage
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Fernandez revealed that, whilst he had upset his teammates, the incident actually brought him closer to the rest of the squad. "Yes, absolutely. It was a tough time, but my team-mates understood me," he disclosed.
"It was a euphoric moment in which I didn't want to hurt anyone. It was just a song that we sing in Argentina as part of 'football folklore', which is what we call it.
"It was a really difficult time for me and I tried to apologise to the squad to show my team-mates that I'm not the type to discriminate or judge others. They understood my message and that's where it all ended."
Fernandez has been delivering brilliant performances this season for Chelsea, with the midfielder contributing five goals and two assists across 19 matches in all competitions.