BUENOS AIRES, July 18 – Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel has come to the defense of Enzo Fernandez and the national football team amid significant backlash following an alleged ‘racist chant’ during their Copa America title celebration.
The controversy began when a video, captured by Fernandez during a live Instagram feed, showed the team chanting inside their bus. These chants were directed towards France, the finalists of the 2022 World Cup, and were deemed ‘offensive’ and ‘derogatory’ by critics. Fernandez apologized on social media, attributing his actions to the heightened euphoria of the celebrations.
Despite the criticism aimed at Fernandez, the Chelsea midfielder has received support from Vice President Villarruel. She took to social media to defend the team’s actions, citing national pride and sovereignty. “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song on the pitch or for telling the truths they don’t want to admit,” she stated on X. Villarruel emphasized that Argentina is a sovereign nation that has neither had colonies nor treated anyone as second-class citizens. She affirmed her support for Fernandez and expressed gratitude towards star player Lionel Messi.
In a related development, Argentina’s Undersecretary for Sports, Julio Garro, faced termination following his call for an apology from Messi for the alleged chanting. Garro had publicly stated that the video cast Argentina in a negative light.
The President’s Office announced Garro’s dismissal, asserting the independence of the national team and its citizens from government control. “No government can tell what to comment, what to think or what to do to the Argentine National Team,” an official statement read.
Meanwhile, FIFA has launched an investigation into the viral video after the French Football Federation labeled it as "racist and discriminatory." A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the investigation and emphasized the organization’s condemnation of any form of discrimination.
(IANS)
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/07/19/argentinas-vice-president-defends-enzo-fernandez/
Category : SPORTS
Tags:
