Argentina’s Undersecretary of Sport Sacked Over Messi Apology Call
In a shocking move, Argentina’s government has announced that Julio Garro is no longer the country’s undersecretary of sport. The decision comes after Garro called for Lionel Messi to apologize for the national team’s derogatory song about French players.
The controversy started when Chelsea’s Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernández posted a video on social media showing some Argentina players singing offensive chants that singled out France players of African heritage. The French Football Federation (FFF) immediately condemned the behavior and said it would file a legal complaint. FIFA also launched an investigation into the incident.
Garro’s comments on Argentine radio Urbano Play sparked widespread outrage, with many criticizing his decision to call for Messi and AFA president Claudio Tapia to apologize. "It’s fitting," Garro said. "It leaves us in a bad light with so much glory."
However, Garro’s resignation has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised his decision to take responsibility for his comments, while others have accused him of being unfairly targeted.
Chelsea, Fernández’s club, has also weighed in on the controversy, condemning all discriminatory behavior and launching an internal disciplinary procedure against the players involved.
The incident is a reminder of the ongoing issue of racism in football. France defender Wesley Fofana and Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku were among those who expressed their disgust at the chants, with Fofana reposting the video and Nkunku saying "God bless them" on social media.
Even Hugo Lloris, France’s goalkeeper and captain at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, hopes that the chanting was a mistake. "It doesn’t matter if you are in a moment of euphoria because you have won an important trophy," he said. "It demands even more responsibility when you are a winner. You don’t want to hear or see this kind of thing in football. We all stand against discrimination and racism."
The incident is a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done to eradicate racism from the beautiful game. As we continue to navigate this complex issue, it’s crucial that we stand together and demand respect for all players, regardless of their background or nationality.
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