French Football Federation to File Complaint Over Racist Chants by Argentina Players
Paris, July 17: The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced plans to lodge a complaint with FIFA over what it describes as "racist and discriminatory remarks" made by Argentina players in celebratory chants following their recent Copa America victory. Argentina secured a 1-0 win against Colombia on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
A controversial video shared on Instagram by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, who also plays for Chelsea, has sparked outrage. The footage shows Argentina players seemingly directing derogatory remarks towards French players of African heritage. France defender and Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana highlighted the issue by reposting the video, labeling it "uninhibited racism." Fofana, whose family hails from Ivory Coast, is among several Black French players in Chelsea’s first team.
The FFF, led by President Philippe Diallo, has condemned the remarks, calling them "unacceptable." Diallo emphasized that such behavior contradicts the values of sport and human rights, and has decided to address the matter formally with the Argentinian Football Association and FIFA. The derogatory chants reportedly targeted French players from various African countries who hold French citizenship.
Diallo, a prominent figure in European football politics and a member of UEFA’s executive committee, is taking a firm stand against the incident. The FFF statement criticized the unsporting conduct and called for immediate action.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated the organization’s zero-tolerance stance on racism, affirming the need for vigilance. FIFA, aware of the video circulating on social media, has stated it is investigating the incident. "FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans, and officials," read a statement from the governing body on Wednesday.
While the extent of FIFA’s jurisdiction over post-tournament incidents remains uncertain, the organization may intervene if deemed necessary, particularly if the Argentina Football Association’s response is found lacking. This incident once again underscores the ongoing struggle against racism in sports.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/07/18/racist-discriminatory-remarks-by-argentina-players/
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