Lionel Messi told to apologise over Argentina’s 'racist chants' following Copa America triumph
Lionel Messi is facing calls to apologise for racist chants made by Argentina’s players after they won the Copa America.
An Argentina government official said Messi, who is the team captain, and the president of the country’s soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, should apologise after a video was shared on social media showing members of the country’s triumphant squad singing a racist chant about French players with African heritage.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he was “truly sorry” for the incident and his Premier League club Chelsea said they have begun disciplinary action, describing discriminatory behaviour as “completely unacceptable”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It is unclear from the video whether Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, participated in the chant but Argentina’s sports sub-secretary, Julio Garro, said he should say sorry.
“The national team captain must also come out to apologise for this case. The same AFA (Argentina Football Association) president,” Garro said in radio statements. “I think it is appropriate. It leaves us as a country in a bad position, with so much glory.”
Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida. Afterwards a video posted on Instagram showed Fernandez and Argentina players chanting about France’s team as they celebrated.
The same chants - by some Argentina fans - emerged before the team beat France in the World Cup final in 2022. The derogatory chants single out France players of African heritage.
FIFA said they were also looking into the incident after the French soccer federation pledged to file a complaint with the sport’s world governing body over “racist and discriminatory remarks”.
Chelsea’s response came after one of Fernandez’s clubmates, France defender Wesley Fofana, called it “uninhibited racism”.
Fernandez apologised 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,” he said on Instagram. “I am truly sorry.”
