Argentina’s national soccer team is engulfed in controversy following a leaked video that shows players, including star midfielder Enzo Fernández, engaging in a racist chant directed at French players. The chant, sung on the team bus after Argentina's Copa América victory, has ignited a firestorm of backlash, leading to significant political and social repercussions within Argentina.
The incident began when a celebratory video was posted on Instagram, capturing the Argentine squad reveling in their win. Among the revelers was Fernández, a well-known figure in the soccer world, now under scrutiny for participating in the offensive chant. Chelsea, Fernández’s club, quickly launched an internal investigation, while the French Football Federation filed a legal complaint against the Argentine team.
Argentina's undersecretary of sport, Julio Garro, publicly demanded apologies from the national team captain, Lionel Messi, and Argentine Football Association president, Claudio Tapia. This comment did not sit well with the country's president, Javier Milei, who promptly sacked Garro. In a statement on Thursday, Milei declared, "The Office of the President reports that no government can tell the Argentine National Team, world champion and two-time American champion, what to comment, what to think or what to do to or to any other citizen."
Garro later denied asking Messi to apologize, labeling such a request as disrespectful to those “who permanently honor us with their human and sporting quality.” He added that his intention was never to offend and that he remains committed to opposing discrimination.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel echoed Milei’s sentiments, lambasting the critics of Fernández. In a fiery social media post, she proclaimed, "No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song that is sung on the pitch or for telling the truths that they do not want to admit... Enzo, I support you, Messi, thank you for everything! Argentines always with their heads held high! Long live Argentina!"
Former France captain Hugo Lloris criticized the chant, calling it “an attack about French people.” Lloris, who faced Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, asserted that moments of celebration require even greater responsibility. “It doesn’t matter if you are in a moment of euphoria because you have won an important trophy,” he told the BBC. “It demands even more responsibility when you are a winner. You don’t want to hear or see this kind of thing in football.”
Lloris stressed that the impact of such behavior extends beyond the field, particularly for French citizens of African descent. He expressed a hope that the incident was a mistake from which the Argentine team could learn, emphasizing their influential role in global football.
The scandal has also provoked strong reactions from other sports figures. Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba took to social media to highlight France's historical grievances with Argentina, referencing a French newspaper's quote about Argentina being a haven for former Nazis. Ba’s pointed comment, “And this surprises you…,” underscored the deep-seated tensions and complexities surrounding the incident.
Fernández, in his apology, maintained that the chant did not reflect his beliefs or character and attributed his involvement to the euphoria of victory. However, his statements did little to quell the outrage, prompting introspection within both the Argentine and broader international soccer communities.
As the backlash continues to unfold, the situation underscores the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed on public figures, especially athletes who often serve as role models to millions. The incident is a stark reminder of the power of words and actions, particularly in a sport beloved across cultures and nationalities.
Whether this controversy will lead to lasting changes in how players are educated and managed post-victory remains to be seen. For now, the focus remains on the immediate fallout and the handling of this sensitive issue by both the soccer authorities and the Argentine government.