Midfielder Enzo Fernandez has told GIVEMESPORT that he received "unwavering support" from Chelsea following the fallout from a racist video filmed after Argentina won the Copa America last year.
The footage, which was part of a live stream, contained a chant that made derogatory comments about the French national team and was criticised by his Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who described it as "uninhibited racism".
Fernandez showed instant contrition and issued an apology at the time.
"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations," wrote Fernandez. "The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
Internal meetings
wesley fofana
A year on and GMS understands that Fernandez remains deeply apologetic for the incident and has made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity. Following a series of internal meetings, and the involvement of club captain Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo in player-driven talks, Chelsea decided to take no further action.
Speaking for the first time about the incident, Fernandez revealed he cancelled his holiday plans in favour of immediately addressing the situation.
“I remember that period. What happened is not typical of who I am,” said Fernandez in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT. “It was a really hard time for me personally and I suffered during it. I’ve always understood my teammates’ 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.
Understanding
Chelsea players walking out for their Premier League match against Arsenal
“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 teammates that I’m not the type to discriminate or judge others. They understood my message and that’s where it all ended."
“Originally, I called them while I was away. And then I cut short my holiday 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.”
Dealing with the fallout was one of the first tasks for Maresca following his arrival that summer from Leicester City. And the Italian didn’t just back Fernandez, he made him vice-captain. And with James injured, Fernandez started the season opener against Manchester City as skipper.
“Enzo is one of the captains here,” said Maresca after the game. “He was also captain in pre-season. His teammates see him as a reference, like a captain. All of us make mistakes. It's important to recognise Enzo made a mistake and now it's finished.”
No further action
FIFA
It appears FIFA won't take any further action despite the French Football Federation asking them to investigate over what they termed a "racist and discriminatory" video.
Fernandez now considers the matter behind him, having learned from his error and used it to forge a stronger bond with French teammates Fofana, Badiashile and Malo Gusto.
“I have a very good relationship with them,” said Fernandez, who spoke with a tone of clear contrition. “We often eat together and do things outside of the dressing room. When we have team dinners or are in the dressing room, everything is normal. Nothing else happened because they know what I’m like as a person."