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24th July 2024
09:49am BST
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has defended Enzo Fernández over footage of the 23-year-old and his teammates singing a discriminatory song aimed at France’s black football players and their heritage.
Teammate Wesley Fofana described the chant as “uninhibited racism” while French members of the Premier League side unfollowed him on Instagram.
The World Cup and Copa America winner was then involved in further controversy during his return to boyhood club River Plate as the entire stadium began to sing the chant while he was paraded around.
O meia Enzo Fernández, do Chelsea, foi homenageado pela diretoria do River Plate no intervalo do jogo contra o Lanús.
— LIBERTA DEPRE (@liberta___depre) July 21, 2024
No momento da homenagem, a torcida do River entoou no Estádio Monumental de Núñez, a música racista e transfóbica contra os jogadores franceses.
"Escutem,… pic.twitter.com/GTYIxxCMg4
Although there has been plenty of backlash online there have still been some people who have come out in support of Fernández.
High-profile figures in his native Argentina and Blues teammate Nicolas Jackson have defended him however and when asked about the viral video, Chelsea boss Maresca refused to blame the 23-year-old, insisting that the matter had been dealt with.
He said: "I think it’s quite easy in terms of the player did a statement apologising, the club did the same.
"I don’t think there’s something to add in terms of this situation, it’s already clear and clarified."
Asked if Fernández's return would cause problems for the squad, he added: "I don’t think so, to be honest.
"In the end they are all human beings. I don’t think there is any bad intention from any one of them.
"So, I don’t think when Enzo comes back, we’ll have any kind of problem.
"As I said, the player already clarified the situation, the club did the same, there is nothing to add and once again, I think they are not bad persons or human beings, it can happen, but I don’t think it’s any problem at all.
"I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with all of them, as I said, the player already did a statement apologising, so it’s quite clear."
Reece James was alongside Maresca for media duty while on their pre-season tour of the US and he revealed that he had spoken to the midfielder.
"It’s obviously a really difficult situation," he said.
"I think Enzo acknowledged he did wrong and quickly put his hand up and apologised to the club, the team and the people offended.
"He hasn’t arrived yet, so I don’t know if there’s anything to amend. I’ll have to make that judgement when he comes back in.
"But I hope everyone will be on the same page and can kind of move forward from this situation."
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