Racism in Soccer: Argentina’s Copa América Victory Marred by Racist Chants
The French Soccer Federation has condemned "racist and discriminatory remarks" chanted by Argentina soccer players targeting French players, following Argentina’s Copa América victory. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in the sport.
Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in Sunday’s Copa América final, and after the win, midfielder Enzo Fernandez posted a video on social media of players reciting a derogatory chant about the French national team. The chant included a transphobic remark and references to players’ African heritage.
French player Wesley Fofana, who is Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, shared the video on social media with the caption: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism." Chelsea has launched an investigation into the video, according to multiple reports.
The French Soccer Federation has announced its intent to file a legal complaint and appeal to FIFA for the remarks recited by Argentinian players. The organization’s president, Philippe Diallo, condemned the remarks, stating: "The President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks that were made against the players of the French team during a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentine team after its victory in the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social networks."
Racism has plagued soccer around the world, and recent weeks have seen a surge in incidents. The U.S. men’s national team denounced a spate of racist online comments from fans targeting players following the team’s upset loss to Panama in Copa América play in June. South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan of the Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers said he was racially abused by opposing players during a recent friendly with Italy’s Como 1907. Wolverhampton has filed a formal complaint with UEFA over the incident.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. has been a frequent target of racist abuse by opposing fans. Three Spanish fans were recently found guilty of criminal racist behavior targeting Vinicius by the Magistrate’s Court of Valencia in an unprecedented ruling.
It’s time for the soccer community to take a stand against racism and discrimination. We must ensure that our sport is a welcoming and inclusive environment for all players, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on this story and the latest news from the world of soccer.