Argentina’s Undersecretary of Sport Resigns in Furor Over Racist Lyrics
Argentina’s government has announced the resignation of Undersecretary of Sports Julio Garro, following calls for national team captain Leo Messi to apologize for a derogatory song sung by players after their World Cup victory.
The song in question, which targeted French footballers of African heritage, sparked global outrage, with the French Federation of Football announcing plans to make a formal complaint to FIFA.
Despite Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s initial apology via social media, Garro went ballistic, telling an Argentinian radio station that both Messi and the heads of the Argentina Football Association should quit and apologize for the controversy-ridden anthem.
"I think Leo Messi, as the captain of the Argentina national team, and the president of the AFF, should come out and apologize… It leaves us in a bad light for all the glory we’ve achieved," Gallo ranted.
Ironically, Gallo’s boss – Argentina’s President Javier Milei – stepped in, issuing an official statement declaring that no government could demand what players could say, think or do, citing the team’s right as freethinkers. For this, Gallo got slapped with the pink slip.
The news comes hot on the heels of disturbing footage from the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, where some Argentinian fans could be seen chanting racially-charged insults at French players… and eerily, similar tweets have emerged before their meetup in the 2022 World Cup last year.
Wesley Fofana, Chelsea teammate of troubled Enzo Fernandiaz, was livid, repossessing the video and slamming what he saw as his friend and fellow teammate’s behavior.
Globo Llorie, former France goalkeeper and captain, has shared his concerns about the chanting, urging others to join the fight against discrimination and racism at the highest levels of the game.
Don’t forget, football fans out there: it’s football, not war. Stand against the hate and for LOVE.
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