Soccer

Kick It Out wants answers from FIFA over Enzo Fernandez chanting incident

FIFA said it was looking into the incident last July but neither it nor the South American confederation has announced if any action has been taken.

FIFA has been asked for answers over the progress of an investigation into discriminatory behaviour by Enzo Fernandez, pictured, and some of his Argentina team-mates last summer
FIFA has been asked for answers over the progress of an investigation into discriminatory behaviour by Enzo Fernandez, pictured, and some of his Argentina team-mates last summer (Steven Paston/PA)
By Jamie Gardner, PA Chief Sports Reporter

Kick It Out has demanded clarity from FIFA president Gianni Infantino over what action his organisation is taking over alleged discriminatory chanting involving Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and other Argentina players.

Fernandez, who turns 24 on Friday, posted a video of himself and some of his Argentina team-mates singing a derogatory song about French players of African origin in the wake of his side’s Copa America victory last July.

FIFA said in the same month that the incident was being “looked into” following a complaint from the French football federation, but neither it nor South American confederation CONMEBOL has published any further information since.

Fernandez apologised face to face to his Chelsea team-mates when he linked up with them on the club’s pre-season tour in the United States last summer, and the club took no further action against him after he made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity.

However, Kick It Out’s chief executive Samuel Okafor has now asked to know what the sport’s authorities are doing about the matter.

“Despite making inquiries to the FA and FIFA, we and many others have not been told if there has been any investigation or outcome into his or any other players’ conduct,” Okafor wrote in a letter seen by the PA news agency, and which was also sent to CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez.

“Establishing the facts and reaching an outcome should not be an extraordinary or difficult task for organisations who want to take discrimination seriously.

“Several of the players were filmed singing a song on the team coach which was both racist and transphobic about France’s players. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was clearly seen singing, although we recognise he was not alone in those actions as many players can be heard during the video.”

Okafor said if there had been no investigation, “it points to a deeply concerning lack of transparency and accountability, especially given how widely this incident was seen.”

FIFA declined to comment. CONMEBOL and Kick It Out have also been approached for comment.